How rich is the deep-sea Antarctic benthic hydroid fauna?
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- Peña Cantero, A.L. Polar Biol (2004) 27: 767. doi:10.1007/s00300-004-0654-9
The bathymetric distribution of the 155 known species of Antarctic benthic hydroids has been studied with the aim of determining bathymetric groups and estimating the richness of the deep-sea Antarctic benthic hydroid fauna. Six bathymetric groups could be recognized on the basis of vertical zonation patterns. Most species have wide bathymetric ranges, but must nevertheless be considered shelf species. Although 62 species of benthic hydroids have been found in the Antarctic deep-sea, only 10 are strict inhabitants of that area. An inverse relative dominance between anthoathecate and leptothecate hydroids has been observed, with the former being more frequent in shallow waters.