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In this paper we present a comparison between Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Agassiz trawling methods for sampling deep-water fauna in three submarine canyons of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea and describe the behavioural reactions of fishes and crustacean decapods to ROV approach. 10 ROV dives, where 3583 individuals were observed and identified to species level, and 8 Agassiz trawls were carried out in a depth range of 750–1500 m. As noticed in previous studies, abundances of fishes and decapod crustaceans were much higher in the ROV videos than in Agassiz trawl samples, as the latter are designed for the retrieval of benthic, less motile species in permanent contact with the bottom. In our observations fish abundance was one order of magnitude higher with ROV (4110.22 ind/km 2 ) than with Agassiz trawl (350.88 ind/km 2 ), whereas decapod crustaceans were six times more abundant in ROV videos (6362.40 ind/km 2 ) than in Agassiz samples (1364.52 ind/km 2 ). The behaviour of highly motile fishes was analysed in terms of stationary positioning over the seafloor and avoidance or attraction to ROV approach. The most frequently occurring fish species Coelorinchus mediterraneus , Nezumia aequalis , Bathypterois dubius , Lepidion lepidion , Trachyrincuss scabrus and Polyacanthonotus rissoanus did not react to the presence of the ROV in most cases (>50%). Only B. dubius (11%), Lepidion lepidion (14.8%), P. rissoanus (41%) and T. scabrus (14.3%) reacted to ROV approach. More than 60% of less motile species, such as crustacean decapods, did not respond to ROV presence either. Only 33.3% of Geryon longipes , 36.2% of Munida spp. and 29.79% of Pagurus spp. were observed avoiding or defensively reacting to the ROV. The comparison of results obtained with ROV and trawl sampling is of ecological relevance since ROV can report observations in areas where trawling is technically unfeasible. The lack of reaction by most fish and crustacean decapod specimens further confirms that ROV surveying is an efficient technique to assess abundance and species composition in deep-sea waters for these motile species and questions trawl-based estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light plays a critical role in the functioning of the marine environment. In the dark ocean, bioluminescent organisms are the only visually relevant sources of light. Cameras of different sensitivities were used to compare the density of pelagic bioluminescent sources (BL) of different light intensities at a regional scale: the image-intensified charge-coupled device for deep-sea research (ICDeep), an image-intensified silicon intensifier target (ISIT) camera and a silicon intensifier target (SIT) camera. Pelagic ICDeep values were higher than ISIT measurements by a mean factor of 7.6 in the Mediterranean Sea and 3.5 in the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic ISIT values were higher than SIT values by a mean factor of 4.5. Standardising bioluminescence measurements to the near-seafloor (0-400 m above bottom) layer, BL, a logarithmic decrease with depth was observed from three independent datasets (slopes not significantly different): ISIT (Atlantic, Mediterranean), ICDeep (Mediterranean). Intercepts from ICDeep measurements were higher than ISIT measurements by a factor of 4.4. From these trends, a conversion factor to calculate benthopelagic plankton biomass from near-seafloor BL density was derived. Calibration of the ICDeep enabled calculation of the minimum intensity of source visible to that camera. BL sources of low-light intensity (≥1.4 × 10 W m) outnumber fourfold sources of greater intensity (>ca. 10 W m ( λ = 470 nm). This reveals a high abundance of low-light bioluminescent sources in the marine environment, with mean pelagic densities of 33.15 sources m (Atlantic) and 6.79 sources m (Mediterranean) between 500 and 1500 m depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dicopia antirrhinum C. Monniot, 1972 is a rare species of deep-sea ascidian belonging to the Family Octacnemidae, reported at depths of 1000–2500m in European Atlantic waters. Adult individuals have never been reported before in the Mediterranean Sea, where only seven juvenile specimens were found in 1975 at 500m water depth in the Central basin (Malta). The affinities of these specimens with D. antirrhinum were noted, but lack of some typical characters of the species in juveniles prevented a definite taxonomical identification. No other member of the Octacnemidae has ever been found in the Mediterranean. In this study we describe the sampling of an adult specimen of D. antirrhinum at around 1100m water depth on the flank of the La Fonera (Palamós) canyon, Northwestern Mediterranean, confirming their presence in the Mediterranean Sea. We also observed 5 individuals of this species on their natural habitat with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Our results highlight the potential occurrence of Octacnemidae, the presence of which has been largely overlooked, in several deep-sea canyon areas within the Western Mediterranean basin. These observations are important because they indicate the need for increased sampling effort with new technologies, such as ROVs, in ecologically relevant habitats such as canyons, in order to obtain a more accurate picture of deep-sea biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We tested the genetic and phenotypic depth structuring in Mediterranean Munida tenuimana. [•] We found weak genetic structuring and shape homogeneity. [•] Smaller individuals lived at the twilight zone end and larger individuals above and below. [•] Spectral reflectance significantly varied with depth in the infra-red, but not in the blue–green. [•] Animals undertake up- and down-slope migrations, according to their reflectance properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Seasonal variations in the photophase length seem to drive migrations of marine animals, a phenomenon still largely unknown in deep-sea fishes and decapod crustaceans. Here, we report depth-oriented migrations of species living in the continental slope of the NW Mediterranean after repeated trawl sampling between 900 and 1500m depths in four seasons. To understand the variations in the catchability of animals as a function of water depth, we analysed the relationship between population depth shifts and environmental factors by performing a multiparametric habitat monitoring at sea surface (PAR), in the water column (temperature and salinity), and on the seabed (organic matter flux and total mass flux). Significant connections are studied by NMDS and GAM analyses. Bathymetric changes in most targeted species are identified from winter, when distribution was the deepest, to spring and summer, and finally autumn, when the shallowest distribution was observed prior to a sudden bathymetric retreat. The analysis of size-class frequency distributions (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test) discards an effect of the juvenile recruitment on these bathymetric changes. Which environmental factor imparts seasonality to these depth-oriented migrations has not yet been clarified. A strong connection is found with water temperature and salinity, associated to flow of the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) and the Western Mediterranean Deep Water (WMDW). The studied depth range was affected by seasonal fluctuations of both water masses and the interphase amongst them. LIW showed a stronger seasonal pattern, getting warmer, saltier in autumn and fresher in winter. The migration of most species towards shallower depths in spring, summer and autumn, and the sudden migration to deeper grounds in winter could therefore be related to changes in LIW temperature and salinity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The new pelagic Operational Observatory of the Catalan Sea (OOCS) for the coordinated multisensor measurement of atmospheric and oceanographic conditions has been recently installed (2009) in the Catalan Sea (41°39'N, 2°54'E; Western Mediterranean) and continuously operated (with minor maintenance gaps) until today. This multiparametric platform is moored at 192 m depth, 9.3 km off Blanes harbour (Girona, Spain). It is composed of a buoy holding atmospheric sensors and a set of oceanographic sensors measuring the water conditions over the upper 100 m depth. The station is located close to the head of the Blanes submarine canyon where an important multispecies pelagic and demersal fishery gives the station ecological and economic relevance. The OOCS provides important records on atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, the latter through the measurement of hydrological and biogeochemical parameters, at depths with a time resolution never attained before for this area of the Mediterranean. Twenty four moored sensors and probes operating in a coordinated fashion provide important data on Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs; UNESCO) such as temperature, salinity, pressure, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence, and turbidity. In comparison with other pelagic observatories presently operating in other world areas, OOCS also measures photosynthetic available radiation (PAR) from above the sea surface and at different depths in the upper 50 m. Data are recorded each 30 min and transmitted in real-time to a ground station via GPRS. This time series is published and automatically updated at the frequency of data collection on the official OOCS website (http://www.ceab.csic.es/~oceans). Under development are embedded automated routines for the in situ data treatment and assimilation into numerical models, in order to provide a reliable local marine processing forecast. In this work, our goal is to detail the OOCS multisensor architecture in relation to the coordinated capability for the remote, continuous and prolonged monitoring of atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, including data communication and storage. Accordingly, time series of measurements for a number of biological parameters will be presented for the summer months of 2011. Marine hindcast outputs from the numerical models implemented for simulating the conditions over the study area are shown. The strong changes of atmospheric conditions recorded in the last years over the area have altered the marine conditions of living organisms, but the dimension of the impact remains unclear. The OOCS multisensor coordinated monitoring has been specifically designed to address this issue, thus contributing to better understand the present environmental fluctuations and to provide a sound basis for a more accurate marine forecast system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet-undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and This abstract has been translated to other languages (File S1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The day–night cycle is one of the strongest geophysical cycles modulating species’ behavioral rhythms. However, in deep-water continental margins, where light intensity decreases over depth, interspecific competition may alter behavioral responses to day–night cycles. The burrowing decapod crustacean Nephrops norvegicus is a large-size predator in benthic communities, exerting despotic territorial behavior. In this study, we analysed how the effect of light intensity cycles on decapod behavioral rhythms is reduced as one moves from shelves to slopes. In the Western Mediterranean, the predatory behavior and interspecific competition for substrate use of Nephrops increases moving from the shelf (100–110 m) to the slope (400–430 m). Vector fitting and generalized additive models were used to assess the effect of light intensity and behavioral rhythms of N. norvegicus on the temporal variation of prey decapods co-occurring in trawl tow catches carried out on the shelf and the slope during October 1999 and June 2000. The combination of diel variations in light intensity and N. norvegicus abundance influences the activity rhythms of prey decapods in a depth- and seasonal-dependent manner. Light modulation is stronger on the shelf and weaker on the slope, where Nephrops population size is greater. Although present regression analysis does not necessarily imply a direct cause–effect relationship between rhythms of predators and prey, we suggest that Nephrops alters the temporal patterning in the behavior of its prey on the slope, where light intensity is reduced. This alteration is stronger in endobenthic species than in benthopelagic species; the former rely on bottom substrate for the expression of behavioral rhythms, experiencing stronger interspecific competitions with Nephrops at time of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Data on biological rhythms of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus (L.) are compared with new findings on inertial currents, a non-photic geophysical hydrodynamic fluctuation. Laboratory experiments on animal endogenous cardiac activity and locomotor rhythms using individuals from the middle slope (400–600m depth) of the Mediterranean Sea revealed a consistent proportion of ultradian 18-h animals (20.6% and 12.0% of the studied cases for cardiac and locomotor tests, respectively). This characteristic, not reported in similar experiments with individuals from shallower depths (20–200m) in the Atlantic Ocean, was initially considered meaningless from an ecological point of view. However, a close comparison with in situ oceanographic measurements over 1 year revealed a clear relationship between inertial current fluctuations and the observed 18-h behavioural and physiological rhythms. We propose a novel scenario involving potential non-photic (i.e. hydrodynamic) modulation of Nephrops biorhythms, and suggest that this may provide a paradigm for other benthic species in deep-water areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The haemolymph glucose concentration shows marked fluctuations over a 24-hour cycle in several decapods. In the present study, the influence of the diel light cycle as a modulator of glucose concentration was evaluated in the haemolymph of Nephrops norvegicus in the northwestern Mediterranean. Haemolymph samples were collected from animals caught by bottom trawls at two depths, 100 m and 400 m, during two different seasons, October and June. A time series analysis showed the absence of a rhythmic pattern in the glucose concentration at either depth and in either season. Knowing that fishing stress increases haemolymph glucose concentration, laboratory experiments were also planned under controlled conditions, under different photoperiod regimes (day-night: 12-12, 18-6, 6-18). Again, no rhythmic fluctuations in glucose concentration were detected. Field glucose concentrations were higher than those determined in laboratory experiments (t -test, p ≤ 0.05), indicating a reference value of the stress for animals caught by trawling nets. Therefore, the absence of rhythmicity in both field survey and laboratory experiments suggests that this physiological variable is not a suitable indicator of the circadian rhythmicity in animals dwelling at a depth greater than 100 m. We propose that rhythms in locomotor and emergence behaviour and their influence on the underlying physiology may explain the glucose arrhythmicity in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Megafauna was trawled seasonally in the Blanes canyon and adjacent Catalan slope. [•] Arrival of new WMDW in March–May 2009 may have driven a biomass accumulation. [•] Intra-annual movements were inverse between the 900–1050m and 1350–1500m strata. [•] Benthic biomass at 1200m depth is an absolute maximum in the Mediterranean margin. [•] Canyon hosted higher biodiversity and different faunal composition than the slope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Fish community of the Catalan margin was sampled seasonally along a bathymetric gradient. [•] Reproductive cycle and population distribution of the most abundant species was analyzed. [•] Different reproductive patterns were observed along the continental margin. [•] A link between seasonality of the organic fluxes and timing of reproduction was observed. [•] Spatial distribution of recruitment were related to the presence of intermediate nepheloid layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]