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Biogeographic boundaries and high diversity in abyssal seafloor communities

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Analysis of an ocean basin-scale dataset revealed the existence of clear biogeographic provinces (deep and shallow abyssal zones) delimited by the carbonate compensation depth in Pacific Ocean seabed communities. Species diversity is maintained or increases with depth owing to phylum-level taxonomic replacements.

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Fig. 1: Phylum-level species replacements delimit abyssal biogeographic provinces across the northeast Pacific Ocean seafloor.

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This is a summary of: Simon-Lledó, E. et al. Carbonate compensation depth drives abyssal biogeography in the northeast Pacific. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02122-9 (2023).

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Biogeographic boundaries and high diversity in abyssal seafloor communities. Nat Ecol Evol 7, 1358–1359 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02139-0

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