Summary atlas of deep-living demersal fishes in the North Atlantic Basin

Abstract

Data from 9 major trawling surveys made around the North Atlantic Basin at slope, rise and abyssal depths provide directly comparable information on deep demersal fish distribution and faunal composition. 338 species in 57 families and 189 genera are recorded, and semi-diagrammatic maps showing relative abundance both horizontally and vertically for 67 of these are presented. Alepocephalidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Moridae and Ophidiidae comprise nearly 2/3 of all species taken. 296 species were taken at slope depths (200–2250 m), 99 at rise depths (2250–4500 m), and 32 at abyssal depths (>4500 m). Diversity and the rate of endemism were highest on the slope. The Norwegian, Caribbean and Mediterranean Basins appear to harbor impoverished versions of the adjacent Atlantic Basin fauna. Each species distribution appeared to be rather exceptional and no repeatable pattern could be found amongst the maps.