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Cephalopods of the Sargasso Sea: distribution patterns in relation to oceanography

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Abstract

Here, we report on a comprehensive collection of mainly early life cephalopods that were sampled during a research cruise to the Sargasso Sea with the RV Maria S. Merian in April 2015. A total of 2466 cephalopods were caught which belonged to at least 27 species (17 families). The most abundant family was represented by the hooked squids (Onychoteuthidae) with a share of 19.18% of the total cephalopod catch. The subtropical convergence zone (STCZ) was found approximately around 27 °N. The STCZ was characterised by a sharp near-surface temperature gradient and divided the Sargasso Sea into a northern and a southern area. This division was also reflected in the cephalopod community composition. For example, the cranchiid Leachia lemur prevailed in the northern part, and the incirrate octopod, Japetella diaphana, was mainly distributed in the southern part of the study area. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) analyses detected a significant correlation between species occurrence and sea surface temperature (SST) as well as a longitudinal gradient with distinct clusters along the five transects from west to east. Ordination analysis (MDS) showed significant differences in the cephalopod assemblages between day and night with midwater forms (Enoploteuthidae, Pyroteuthidae) dominating the night catches, probably due to their upward migration into the top 200 m during the night.

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Notes

  1. Level of significance * = p < 0.05, **= p < 0.01, *** = p < 0.001

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Acknowledgements

We thank the captain and crew of RV Maria S. Merian for their skillful support during station work and the excellent time on board. Dr. Michael Miller provided the station map, Dr. Håkan Westerberg helped in explaining the oceanographic data, and Dr. Rabea Diekmann provided valuable help in the statistical analysis. This research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant MerMet 14–46 (SEA-EELS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Alexandra Lischka & Uwe Piatkowski

  2. Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767, Hamburg, Germany

    Reinhold Hanel

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  1. Alexandra Lischka
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  2. Uwe Piatkowski
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  3. Reinhold Hanel
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Correspondence to Alexandra Lischka.

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Communicated by Y. Sakurai

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Lischka, A., Piatkowski, U. & Hanel, R. Cephalopods of the Sargasso Sea: distribution patterns in relation to oceanography. Mar Biodiv 47, 685–697 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0629-4

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