| Summary: | Polychaete annelids from 48 benthic samples containing over
2000 specimens were identified. Samples were taken with either an
anchor dredge or an anchor-box dredge from a 15 station transect
(44° 39. 1'N) that ranges from 800 to 2900 meters in depth. Sediment
subsamples were collected and analyzed for organic carbon and sediment
particle size using standard techniques. Temperature and
oxygen of the water near the bottom were taken with a modified Smith-
McIntyre grab; however, these measurements were not taken
simultaneously with the dredged biological samples.
The results indicated that at least 115 species in 53 families of
the class Polychaeta were represented in this transect line. This
study found an absence of the families Serpulidae and Syllidae and a
reduction of the number of speciesin the families Nereidae,
Cirratulidae and Capitellidae. Only five genera had not previously
been reported from the deep sea. The depth distribution of the
polychaetous annelids recovered in this study, coupled with limited
physical data, suggest that five faunal regions can be distinguished.
Nine new forms of polychaeteous annelids are tentatively described,
and others are anticipated in future collections. Suggestions for
future studies are also indicated. === Graduation date: 1969
|
|---|
