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. 2017 Aug 14:(5):e14598.
doi: 10.3897/BDJ.5.e14598. eCollection 2017.

Megafauna of the UKSRL exploration contract area and eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean: Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Ctenophora, Mollusca

Affiliations

Megafauna of the UKSRL exploration contract area and eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean: Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Ctenophora, Mollusca

Diva J Amon et al. Biodivers Data J. .

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in mining polymetallic nodules from the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Despite having been the focus of environmental studies for decades, the benthic megafauna of the CCZ remain poorly known. To predict and manage the environmental impacts of mining in the CCZ, baseline knowledge of the megafauna is essential. The ABYSSLINE Project has conducted benthic biological baseline surveys in the UK Seabed Resources Ltd polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area (UK-1). Prior to ABYSSLINE research cruises in 2013 and 2015, no biological studies had been done in this area of the eastern CCZ.

New information: Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (as well as several other pieces of equipment), the megafauna within the UK Seabed Resources Ltd exploration contract area (UK-1) and at a site ~250 km east of the UK-1 area were surveyed, allowing us to make the first estimates of megafaunal morphospecies richness from the imagery collected. Here, we present an atlas of the abyssal annelid, arthropod, bryozoan, chordate, ctenophore and molluscan megafauna observed and collected during the ABYSSLINE cruises to the UK-1 polymetallic-nodule exploration contract area in the CCZ. There appear to be at least 55 distinct morphospecies (8 Annelida, 12 Arthropoda, 4 Bryozoa, 22 Chordata, 5 Ctenophora, and 4 Mollusca) identified mostly by morphology but also using molecular barcoding for a limited number of animals that were collected. This atlas will aid the synthesis of megafaunal presence/absence data collected by contractors, scientists and other stakeholders undertaking work in the CCZ, ultimately helping to decipher the biogeography of the megafauna in this threatened habitat.

Keywords: Clarion-Clipperton Zone; atlas; deep-sea mining; megafauna; polymetallic nodule.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Locations of megafaunal surveys during the ABYSSLINE cruises, AB01 and AB02, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. (a) The location of the UK Seabed Resources Ltd exploration contract area (UK-1) in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (b) The locations of the 30x30-km survey areas, UK-1 Stratum A and UK-1 Stratum B, in relation to the UK-1 exploration contract area and the AB01 ROV dive site, EPIRB, which was approximately 250 km east of the UK-1 contract area. (c) The locations of ROV dives within UK-1 Stratum A, indicated by purple tracklines labelled with the dive number (e.g. RV01). Stations where imagery was collected with a baited camera (CA01) and samples collected with a baited trap (TR04, TR05, TR06) are also indicated. (d) The locations of AUV dives within UK-1 Stratum B, indicated by purple tracklines labelled with the dive number (e.g. AV01). Stations where imagery was collected with a baited camera (CA02, CA06, CA07, CA08, CA09) and samples collected with a baited trap (TR08) are also indicated. All maps were created by Seafloor Investigations Ltd for the ABYSSLINE Project using ArcGIS software (https://www.arcgis.com/features/).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
cf. Polychaeta morphospecies in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
cf. Polynoidae morphospecies in situ swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 4a.
Figure 4a.
cf. Sabellidae morphospecies 1 in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 4b.
Figure 4b.
cf. Sabellidae morphospecies 1 in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
cf. Sabellidae morphospecies 2 attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the eastern CCZ. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
cf. Serpulidae morphospecies 1 attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
cf. Serpulidae morphospecies 2 attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
cf. Serpulidae morphospecies 3 in situ on the seafloor in the eastern CCZ. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
cf. Acrocirridae morphospecies in situ swimming above the seafloor in the eastern CCZ. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
cf. Eurythenes morphospecies 1 in situ feeding on bait on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 11a.
Figure 11a.
Side view of Eurythenes magellanicus after collection. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen.
Figure 11b.
Figure 11b.
Ventral view of Eurythenes magellanicus after collection. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen.
Figure 11c.
Figure 11c.
Front view of Eurythenes magellanicus after collection. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen.
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
A pair (likely male and female) of cf. Podoceridae morphospecies in situ on a sponge stalk in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 13a.
Figure 13a.
Hemipenaeus cf. spinidorsalis in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 13b.
Figure 13b.
Hemipenaeus cf. spinidorsalis swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 13c.
Figure 13c.
Hemipenaeus cf. spinidorsalis swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 13d.
Figure 13d.
Hemipenaeus cf. spinidorsalis in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 13e.
Figure 13e.
Hemipenaeus cf. spinidorsalis swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 14.
Figure 14.
Cerataspis cf. monstrosus in situ feeding on bait on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai'i.
Figure 15.
Figure 15.
cf. Glyphocrangon morphospecies in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 16.
Figure 16.
cf. Munidopsis morphospecies with several Pachycara cf. nazca in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 17a.
Figure 17a.
cf. Nematocarcinus morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 17b.
Figure 17b.
cf. Nematocarcinus morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 18a.
Figure 18a.
Hymenopenaeus nereus after collection via baited trap from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 18b.
Figure 18b.
Hymenopenaeus cf. nereus in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 18c.
Figure 18c.
Hymenopenaeus cf. nereus in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon and CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 18d.
Figure 18d.
Hymenopenaeus cf. nereus in situ on the seafloor (centre of image) with an aristeid shrimp (nearest to top of image). Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 19.
Figure 19.
cf. Bathystylodactylus morphospecies in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 20a.
Figure 20a.
Front view of cf. Munnopsidae morphospecies in situ on a sponge. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 20b.
Figure 20b.
Dorsal view of cf. Munnopsidae morphospecies in situ on a sponge. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 20c.
Figure 20c.
cf. Munnopsidae morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 21.
Figure 21.
cf. Neoscalpellum morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 22a.
Figure 22a.
cf. Smithsonius morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 22b.
Figure 22b.
cf. Smithsonius morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 22c.
Figure 22c.
cf. Smithsonius morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 22d.
Figure 22d.
cf. Smithsonius morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 23a.
Figure 23a.
cf. Notoplites morphospecies (the branching delicate colony in the centre of image) attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 23b.
Figure 23b.
cf. Notoplites morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 23c.
Figure 23c.
cf. Notoplites morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 23d.
Figure 23d.
cf. Notoplites morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 24.
Figure 24.
cf. Columnella morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 25.
Figure 25.
cf. Lepralielloidea morphospecies (small white colony nearest to bottom of the image) attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 26.
Figure 26.
cf. Phlebobranchia morphospecies 1 attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 27.
Figure 27.
cf. Phlebobranchia morphospecies 2 attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. It is attached to another organism that resembles a narrow stalk. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 28a.
Figure 28a.
cf. Dicopia morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 28b.
Figure 28b.
cf. Dicopia morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 28c.
Figure 28c.
cf. Dicopia morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 29a.
Figure 29a.
cf. Megalodicopia morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 29b.
Figure 29b.
cf. Megalodicopia morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 30a.
Figure 30a.
cf. Situla morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 30b.
Figure 30b.
cf. Situla morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 30c.
Figure 30c.
cf. Situla morphospecies attached to a polymetallic nodule on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 31.
Figure 31.
cf. Actinopterygii morphospecies observed swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 32a.
Figure 32a.
Histiobranchus cf. bathybius swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 32b.
Figure 32b.
Histiobranchus cf. bathybius in situ feeding on bait on the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 32c.
Figure 32c.
Histiobranchus cf. bathybius feeding on bait on the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 32d.
Figure 32d.
Histiobranchus cf. bathybius (foreground) feeding on bait on the seafloor with a cf. Coryphaenoides morphospecies (background). Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 33a.
Figure 33a.
Dorsal view of Bathysaurus cf. mollis swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 33b.
Figure 33b.
Side view of Bathysaurus cf. mollis swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 33c.
Figure 33c.
Bathysaurus cf. mollis in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 34a.
Figure 34a.
Ipnops cf. meadi in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 34b.
Figure 34b.
Ipnops cf. meadi in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35a.
Figure 35a.
Dorsal view of cf. Coryphaenoides morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35b.
Figure 35b.
Side view of cf. Coryphaenoides morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35c.
Figure 35c.
cf. Coryphaenoides morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 35d.
Figure 35d.
Coryphaenoides yaquinae after collection via baited trap from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35e.
Figure 35e.
Coryphaenoides armatus after collection via baited trap from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 35f.
Figure 35f.
Four cf. Coryphaenoides morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner and J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 36a.
Figure 36a.
cf. Halosauridae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 36b.
Figure 36b.
cf. Halosauridae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 37a.
Figure 37a.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 1 swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 37b.
Figure 37b.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 1 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 38.
Figure 38.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 2 in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 39.
Figure 39.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 3 in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutio.
Figure 40a.
Figure 40a.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 4 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 40b.
Figure 40b.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 4 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 41a.
Figure 41a.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 5 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 41b.
Figure 41b.
cf. Ophidiidae morphospecies 5 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 42.
Figure 42.
Barathrites cf. iris swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 43a.
Figure 43a.
Side view of Bassozetus cf. nasus swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 43b.
Figure 43b.
Front view of Bassozetus cf. nasus swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 43c.
Figure 43c.
Side view of Bassozetus cf. nasus swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 43d.
Figure 43d.
Bassozetus cf. nasus swimming above the seafloor. Scale is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 43e.
Figure 43e.
Bassozetus cf. nasus swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 44a.
Figure 44a.
Bathyonus cf. caudalis swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 44b.
Figure 44b.
Bathyonus cf. caudalis swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 44c.
Figure 44c.
Bathyonus cf. caudalis swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 45.
Figure 45.
cf. Zoarcidae morphospecies 1 in situ on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 46a.
Figure 46a.
cf. Zoarcidae morphospecies 2 in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 46b.
Figure 46b.
Front view of cf. Zoarcidae morphospecies 2 in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47a.
Figure 47a.
Pachycara cf. nazca in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47b.
Figure 47b.
Pachycara cf. nazca in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47c.
Figure 47c.
Pachycara cf. nazca in situ on the seafloor. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47d.
Figure 47d.
Pachycara nazca after collection via baited trap from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47e.
Figure 47e.
Pachycara nazca after collection via baited trap from the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 47f.
Figure 47f.
Pachycara cf. nazca (middle) in situ on the seafloor with two Coryphaenoides fish swimming above. Image attribution: A Leitner & J Drazen, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 48.
Figure 48.
cf. Mertensiidae morphospecies observed swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 49.
Figure 49.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 1 observed swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 50.
Figure 50.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 2 observed swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 51a.
Figure 51a.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 3 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 51b.
Figure 51b.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 3 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 51c.
Figure 51c.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 3 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 51d.
Figure 51d.
cf. Lobata morphospecies 3 swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 52.
Figure 52.
Lampocteis cf. cruentiventer observed swimming above the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 53a.
Figure 53a.
cf. Bivalvia morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 53b.
Figure 53b.
cf. Bivalvia morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 53c.
Figure 53c.
cf. Bivalvia morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: DJ Amon & CR Smith, University of Hawai’i.
Figure 54a.
Figure 54a.
cf. Cirroteuthidae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 54b.
Figure 54b.
cf. Cirroteuthidae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 54c.
Figure 54c.
cf. Cirroteuthidae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 54d.
Figure 54d.
cf. Cirroteuthidae morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 55a.
Figure 55a.
cf. Grimpoteuthis morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 55b.
Figure 55b.
cf. Grimpoteuthis morphospecies swimming above the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 55c.
Figure 55c.
cf. Grimpoteuthis morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 55d.
Figure 55d.
cf. Grimpoteuthis morphospecies in situ on the seafloor. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Figure 56.
Figure 56.
cf. Muusoctopus morphospecies observed on the seafloor in the UK-1 exploration contract area. Image corresponds with the data above. Scale bar is 10 cm. Image attribution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

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