Benthic-pelagic coupling: effects on nematode communities along southern European continental margins.

Along a west-to-east axis spanning the Galicia Bank region (Iberian margin) and the Mediterranean basin, a reduction in surface primary productivity and in seafloor flux of particulate organic carbon was mirrored in the in situ organic matter quantity and quality within the underlying deep-sea sediments at different water depths (1200, 1900 and 3000 m). Nematode standing stock (abundance and biomass) and genus and trophic composition were investigated to evaluate downward benthic-pelagic coupling. The longitudinal decline in seafloor particulate organic carbon flux was reflected by a reduction in benthic phytopigment concentrations and nematode standing stock. An exception was the station sampled at the Galicia Bank seamount, where despite the maximal particulate organic carbon flux estimate, we observed reduced pigment levels and nematode standing stock. The strong hydrodynamic forcing at this station was believed to be the main cause of the local decoupling between pelagic and benthic processes. Besides a longitudinal cline in nematode standing stock, we noticed a west-to-east gradient in nematode genus and feeding type composition (owing to an increasing importance of predatory/scavenging nematodes with longitude) governed by potential proxies for food availability (percentage of nitrogen, organic carbon, and total organic matter). Within-station variability in generic composition was elevated in sediments with lower phytopigment concentrations. Standing stock appeared to be regulated by sedimentation rates and benthic environmental variables, whereas genus composition covaried only with benthic environmental variables. The coupling between deep-sea nematode assemblages and surface water processes evidenced in the present study suggests that it is likely that climate change will affect the composition and function of deep-sea nematodes.

Introduction

Apart from benthos dependent on chemosynthesis, deep-sea sediment communities ultimately depend for their dietary requirements on organic matter (OM) that is produced in the euphotic zone. The quantity that is produced varies among seasons and regions, and is determined by the physical properties and dynamics of the euphotic zone [1]. The particulate OM (POM) that is exported from the euphotic zone comprises phyto- and zoodetritus, in addition to bacteria, protozoans, fecal pellets (which mainly contain phytoplankton cells and gut bacteria) and inorganic compounds [2]. The processes through which POM is transferred to the deep-sea bottom are collectively termed “the biological pump”. During its descent through the water column the POM particles are progressively broken down, and only a limited fraction (1% on average) arrives at the deep-sea bed [1]. The fraction of exported POM that reaches the deep-sea sediments, or the efficiency of the biological pump, is determined by n class="Chemical">water depth, the sinking velocity (dependent on, amongst others, the degree of POM aggregation and the seawater mineral content) and the rate of decomposition (dependent on the pelagic food web structure and seawater temperature) of the POM [3]. In addition, laterally advected water masses may transport sinking POM away from its point of origin [4]–[6].

Various time-series studies documented an elevation in standing stock or metabolic activity, or both, of deep-sea benthic organisms in response to a phytodetritus pulse [7]–[10]. Empirical evidence for the coupling between the pelagic and the deep-sea benthic realm comes from feeding experiments, showing rapid uptake of added phytodetrital matter by all benthic size-classes, from prokaryotes to megafauna [11]–[13], including those living at abyssal depths [14], [15]. Some authors, however, failed to detect a response of (some of) the deep-sea benthic n class="Species">biota under study [16]–[18].

Meiofauna, a size-based invertebrate group dominated by nematodes, are a ubiquitous and dominant metazoan component of deep-sea sediments [19], [20]. Most proof for benthic-pelagic coupling stems from significant correlations between meiofaunal parameters and abiotic variables related to OM input. The magnitude of the flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) to the seabed was documented to have a positive effect on meiobenthic abundance [21], [22]. The concentration of n class="Chemical">chlorophyll-a (chl-a), and the sum of chl-a and its breakdown products (i.e. chloroplastic pigment equivalents or CPE) are commonly used to quantify the size of the fresh and total (fresh+degraded) phytodetrital pool, respectively, within the sediments [23], [24]. Sommer and Pfannkuche [21], Soltwedel [25], Neira et al. [26], Tselepides et al. [27], and Lampadariou et al. [28] all described a positive association between meiobenthic or nematode standing stock and pigment concentrations. However, Danovaro et al. [29] and Shimanaga et al. [30] did not observe a relationship between meiofaunal abundance and pigment concentrations. As a consequence, it has been argued that not food quantity, but food quality structures deep-sea benthic assemblages [29]. Other factors that were reported to correlate with deep-sea meiofaunal abundances or composition are granulometric characteristics [31] and sedimentary organic matter content [32], [33]. However, the bulk of the OM within deep-sea sediments is refractory and thus organic matter content represents a poor measure of food availability [34].

We selected several study areas in southern Europe positioned along a west-east axis, which are characterized by differential trophic and oceanographic conditions, namely the Galicia Bank (“GB”) region, and several basins within the western and eastern Mediterranean. The GB is a seamount located on the northwestern Iberian margin, which is marked by relatively high primary productivity (∼220 g C m−2 yr−1; [35]) owing to intense, wind-driven seasonal upwelling [36]. However, unlike the non-seamount stations in the GB region and the Mediterranean, the waters atop of the GB are hydrodynamically active [37], and as such bottom currents may interfere with OM deposition. Mediterranean deep-sea sediments represent a highly oligotrophic environment, because of the general nutrient depletion in surface n class="Chemical">waters combined with the high water temperature promoting the degradation of sinking OM [38]. Within the Mediterranean, there is a well-established trophic divergence between the more productive western and the less productive eastern basin [39]–[41]. This gradient is generated by the higher nutrient input in the western Mediterranean owing to river runoff and the inflow of Atlantic surface water, and the outflow of relatively nutrient-rich Levantine Intermediate Water through the Strait of Gibraltar (also known as the inverse estuarine circulation) [42]. Nonetheless, there appears to be substantial regional heterogeneity in surface productivity within both the western and the eastern Mediterranean basin owing to hydrological features and river runoff [43], [44].

The aim of this study was to determine how differences in oceanographic and productivity regimes between our study areas are reflected in nematode community characteristics at different bathyal and abyssal water depths (1200, 1900 and 3000 m). Measures of surface productivity, seafloor POC flux and in situ OM quality and quantity were used to verify and describe the longitudinal trophic gradient. We hypothesized that the west-east den class="Chemical">cline in primary production and sedimentation results in lower standing stock and a gradient in the generic and trophic structure of the nematode assemblages. In addition, we assessed the importance of both POC flux and benthic environmental characteristics for the distribution and structure of nematode communities.

Materials and Methods

Ethics Statement

No specific permits were required for the described field studies since the locations are not privately-owned or protected in any way and no endangered or protected species were involved.

Study Area

The Galicia Bank (“GB”) is a seamount situated on the Iberian margin, about 200 km off the Galician coast. It is separated from the shallower parts of the continental margin by the Galicia Interior basin, which has an approximate depth of 3000 m (Fig. 1). The dome-shaped GB seamount has a relatively flat quasi-rectangular summit (between ca. 620 and 900 m water depth) which is covered by a thick layer of n class="Chemical">foraminiferal ooze and is bounded by steep scarps [32], [37]. Duineveld et al. [37] measured high current velocities (5–30 cm s−1) at 1 m above the GB summit. We collected samples at (1200 m; GB1200) and southeast of the GB seamount (1900 and 3000 m; GB1900 and GB3000, respectively) (Fig. 1). Hence, GB1200 is a seamount station, whilst the deeper stations were positioned on the slope and the abyssal plain. The oceanographic area in which these stations were located is termed the GB region throughout the manuscript.

Figure 1

Average 2008 chlorophyll a levels of surface waters in the Mediterranean basin and the Galicia Bank region.

These data were obtained from the Aqua MODIS satellite and were downloaded from Ocean Color Web. Symbols indicate locations of sediment samples taken at 1200 (white), 1900 (grey) and 3000 m (black) water depth. The white squares enclose samples from the same region. GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin.

The Mediterranean Sea is split into the western and eastern Mediterranean basin by the Strait of Sicily. The western Mediterranean stations were situated in the Algerian (“A”, A1200 and A1900) and in the Algero-Provençal (“AP”, AP1900 and AP3000) basin. The eastern Mediterranean samples were collected in the Ionian Sea (“I”, I3000) and in the northern Levantine basin (“L”, L3000), offshore southern Crete. Sediment samples originating from each region were positioned on a west-to-east axis with an increase in longitude according to GB

Sampling Strategy

Sediment samples were gathered during various expeditions undertaken in the frame of the BIOFUN (“Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in southern European deep-sea environments: from viruses to megafauna”) project (Table 1). We initially planned to sample only with a multicorer, because this gear produces the least disturbed sediment samples [45]. However, because of absence or malfunctioning of the multicorer, most of our samples comprised sub-samples from box cores taken with multicorer cores. Both Galeron et al. [46] and Mokievskii et al. [22] found no significant differences in meiobenthic abundances between multicorer and box corer samples, whereas Bett et al. [45] observed twice as much meiofauna in multicorer compared to box corer samples. Samples taken in the same basin or region and at the same water depth during the same expedition were considered replicates of the same station. Note that the number of replicate deployments varied among stations (1–9; Table 1). The surface area of the sampling cores used was not constant, and measured 78.54, 10.18, 70.88, 56.45 and 69.4 cm2 during the RV Belgica, Urania, Pelagia 2008, Pelagia 2009 and the Sarmiento De Gamboa expeditions, respectively. As a consequence, the total area sampled for nematode community analysis varied among stations (Table 1). All analyses were conducted on the top 0–1 cm of the sediment cores.

Table 1

Sampling details.

Basin	Station	Period	No of replicates			Depth (m)	Lat	Long	Gear	RV
			N (total area sampled, cm2)	OG	P
GB	GB1200	Jun/08	3 (235.6)	3	0	1139–1141	42.9	−11.8	BC	Belgica
GB	GB1200	Oct/08	0	0	3	1155–1219	42.9	−11.8	BC	Pelagia
GB	GB1900	Oct/08	3 (212.64)	3	1+ (2)	1770–1896	42.4–42.5	−10.8–−10.7	BC	Pelagia
GB	GB3000	Oct/08	3 (212.64)	3	(3)	3066–3072	41.7	−10.7	BC	Pelagia
A	A1200	Jun/09	3 (208.20)	3	3	1211–1214	38.4	1.8	MC	SDG
A	A1900	Jun/09	2 (138.80)	2	0	2004, 2016	38.0	1.9	MC	SDG
AP	AP1900	Nov/09	3 (169.35)	3	3	1582	39.4	4.3	MC	Pelagia
AP	AP3000	Jun/09	3 (208.20)	3	3	2841–2846	38.7	5.5–5.7	MC	SDG
I	I3000	Jun/08	7 (71.26)	7	9	2770–2808	34.9–35.1	20.5–20.8	BC	Urania
L	L1200	Jun/08	3 (30.54)	3	(3)	983–1143	35.0	24.6	BC	Urania
L	L3000	Jun/08	1 (10.18)	1	(3)	2458, 2647	34.9	24.5, 24.6	BC	Urania

Indicated are: the region of origin (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin), the period samples were collected in (month/year), station code (indicating basin and approximate water depth), the number of replicate samples for nematode community analysis (N; the total area of sediment sampled is shown in parentheses), granulometry and organics (OG) and pigment analysis (P) whereby samples taken from the same deployment (i.e. pseudoreplicates) are indicated in parentheses, water depth range, average geographical position (latitude and longitude expressed in decimal degrees; where the coordinates of replicates differed more than 1°, a range is given), sampling gear (BC: box corer; MC: multicorer), research vessel (RV; SDG: Sarmiento De Gamboa).

Indicated are: the region of origin (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin), the period samples were collected in (month/year), station code (indicating basin and approximate water depth), the number of replicate samples for nematode community analysis (N; the total area of sediment sampled is shown in parentheses), granulometry and organics (OG) and pigment analysis (P) whereby samples taken from the same deployment (i.e. pseudoreplicates) are indicated in parentheses, n class="Chemical">water depth range, average geographical position (latitude and longitude expressed in decimal degrees; where the coordinates of replicates differed more than 1°, a range is given), sampling gear (BC: box corer; MC: multicorer), research vessel (RV; SDG: Sarmiento De Gamboa).

Analysis of Environmental Variables

Granulometric analysis was conducted using a Malvern Mastersizer hydro 2000 G. Sediment fractions were classified according to the Wentworth scale [47]. Following freeze-drying and homogenization, samples were acidified with 1% HCl. After acidification and drying, total organic n class="Chemical">carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (TN) content were measured using a Flash EA 1112+ MAs 200 elemental analyser (Thermo Interscience). Total organic matter (TOM) content was determined after combustion of the sediment samples at 550°C.

Chlorophyll-a (n class="Chemical">chl-a) and phaeopigment analyses were carried out according to Lorenzen and Jeffrey [48]. Pigments were extracted (12 h at 4°C in the dark) from triplicate superficial (0–1 cm) sediment samples (±1 g), using 5 ml of 90% acetone. Extracts were analysed fluorometrically to estimate chl-a, and after acidification with 200 ml 0.1 N HCl, to estimate phaeopigments. Chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE) constitute the sum of chl-a and phaeopigments. The ratio of chl-a and phaeopigments (chl-a:phaeo) was considered as a proxy for the “freshness” of the phytodetrital input.

Besides benthic environmental variables, we analyzed environmental data related to the pelagic realm. Net primary production (NPP) values were extracted from the Vertically Generalised Production Model (VGPM; resolution: 1°) described by Behrenfeld and Falkowski [49] and downloaded from http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/ocean.productivity/. The VGPM estimate of NPP values was based on satellite measurements of sea surface temperature (SST), surface water n class="Chemical">chl-a concentrations, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Because only monthly data are available on NPP and in our study area variation in PAR and SST is negligible, we superimposed annual composite chl-a concentrations (Level-3 Aqua Modis data from 2008 with a resolution of 9 km; http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov) on a map displaying the locations of our samples to illustrate the heterogeneity in NPP. To this end we used the freely available HDF view, SAGA (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses) and Quantum GIS (QGIS, v 1.7.4.) applications. Data on the particulate organic carbon (POC) flux to the seafloor were approximated on the basis of water depth and seasonal variation in NPP, calculated as the standard deviation divided by the mean of monthly NPP values, according to Lutz et al. [50].

NPP and POC flux to the seafloor were calculated for each sample location listed in Table 1. Owing to the 1° resolution of the input data for the VGPM model, replicate stations were often assigned equal NPP values and differences in seafloor POC flux were simply the result of the variability in measured water depth.

Nematode Community Analysis

The sediment samples (0–1 cm sediment depth), fixed in seawater-buffered 4% n class="Chemical">formalin, were washed over a 32-µm mesh sieve and the meiofauna extracted from the sediment by Ludox centrifugation [51]. Meiofauna was then sorted, enumerated and identified at higher taxonomic level. Where possible, about 100 nematodes were hand-picked from each sample and identified to genus level. Since it was difficult to distinguish between Microlaimus and Aponema, specimens belonging to one of these genera were allocated to a Microlaimus/Aponema genus complex. Nematodes were grouped into four feeding types on the basis of the morphology of their buccal cavity sensu Wieser [52]: selective deposit feeders (1A), non-selective deposit feeders (1B), epistrate feeders and scavengers/predators (2B). Additionally, we measured length (L; µm) and maximal width (W; µm) for each nematode to estimate individual wet weight (WW) using Andrassy’s formula [53], adjusted for the specific gravity of marine nematodes (i.e. 1.13 g cm−3; µg WW ind−1 = L × W2/1500 000). Individual biomass (µg C ind−1) was then estimated as 12.4% of WW (Jensen 1984). Total nematode biomass (µg C 10 cm−2) in each sample was calculated as the product of nematode density (ind. 10 cm−2) and the arithmetic mean of individual biomass values.

Data Analysis

Longitudinal and bathymetric monotonic trends in environmental (seafloor POC flux, phytopigments, MGS, mud, n class="Chemical">TOC, TOM, TN and C:N) and univariate nematode variables (density, individual and total biomass and relative abundance of feeding types) for a given depth or longitude were investigated by means of partial Spearman rank correlations. The strength and direction of longitudinal and bathymetric gradients were indicated by rlong|depth (correlation with longitude, given depth) and rdepth|long (correlation with depth, given longitude), respectively. Fourth-root transformed relative nematode genus abundances were subjected to distance-based linear modeling (DISTLM) to determine (1) whether spatial variation in genus composition was mostly owing to longitude or to water depth (shown by the marginal tests) and if (2) depth/longitude contributed to the explained variation, given longitude/depth (checked by the conditional tests). Genus composition data were visualized using non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS). To assess which genera described most of the longitudinal variation in community structure, we employed a BEST analysis using the fourth-root transformed genus abundances and the Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix based thereon, at each approximate depth (1200, 1900 or 3000 m). This type of analysis can be seen as a generalization of the SIMPER routine as it searches for a subset of genera that can account for the whole continuous pattern [54]. A SIMPER analysis was conducted to identify the nematode genera that discriminated most between the seamount and the non-seamount stations.

To determine the importance of the abiotic environment to nematode standing stock and composition, we conducted Spearman rank correlation and RELATE analysis (by means of Spearman rank correlations), respectively. Because pigment data were mostly obtained from different deployments than nematode and other environmental variables (Table 1), replicate environmental and nematode values were averaged per station. As a measure of within-station variability in nematode genus composition we used relative dispersion obtained through the MVDISP routine [54], which we subjected to correlation tests with all environmental variables.

Univariate correlation tests were executed in R v 2.15.0 [55]. Partial correlations were obtained with the R package ppcor [56]. All other analyses were done in PRIMER v6 with the PERMANOVA+ add-on [57], [58]. Because GB1200 was the only seamount station, it was omitted from the analysis of bathymetrical and longitudinal trends in benthic (environmental and nematode) parameters and the correlation test between environmental and nematode community descriptors. Consequently, the data on nematode community structure and benthic environmental variables at the seamount station were presented separately from those at the non-seamount stations. Data were expressed as means ± standard error (SE).

Results

Longitudinal and Bathymetric Trends in NPP and Seafloor POC Flux

There was a significant reduction in NPP along the west-to-east axis from the GB region to the eastern Mediterranean basin (Fig. 2A; Spearman rank: r = -0.89, P<0.001). Because they were distanced by 1° longitude or more, some samples from the same basin, either from equal (i.e. the 3000 m samples from the Algero-Provençal and Ionian basin) or different water depths (1200 and 1900+3000 m samples from the GB region and 1900 and 3000 m samples in the Algero-Provençal basin), displayed differential NPP (Fig. 2). Nevertheless, on average, NPP ranged between 716.2 g C m−2 yr−1 at the GB region and 384.2 g C m−2 yr−1 in the Levantine Basin. Within the western Mediterranean, the Algerian basin (688 g C m−2 yr−1) exhibited elevated NPP relative to the Algero-Provençal basin (540.3–572.5 g C m−2 yr−1). In the eastern Mediterranean basin, there was a small drop in NPP between the Ionian (400.0 g C m−2 yr−1) and the Levantine Sea (384.2 g C m−2 yr−1).

Figure 2

Satellite-based estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) in the Galicia Bank region and the Mediterranean.

(A) Annual composite NPP in function of longitude. Symbols represent stations, indicating basin (shape) and water depth (colour). GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin. (B) Monthly variation in NPP. Each line represents NPP values for stations located less than 1° longitude apart.

Seasonal variability in NPP at the GB region (0.43) was more than twice that in the Mediterranean, where values slightly increased from west to east with 0.16, 0.18, 0.20 and 0.19 in the Algerian, Algero-Provençal, Ionian and Levantine basin, respectively (see also Fig 2B). The GB1200 station experienced maximal NPP in April, while the deeper stations in the GB region showed an additional, but less pronounced NPP peak in August (Fig. 2B). The Mediterranean stations experienced two NPP maxima per year; one in March and another one in July.

For a given water depth, seafloor POC flux related negatively with longitude (Fig. 3A; Table 2). When longitude was fixed, POC flux den class="Chemical">clined along the bathymetrical axis.

Figure 3

Longitudinal and bathymetric trends in environmental variables.

The basins sampled are displayed on the x-axis (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin) and are ordered from west to east. The colour of the bars indicates approximate water depth (1200 m: white, 1900 m: grey, 3000 m: dark grey). Bars represent average values; error bars denote standard errors. POC flux: annual particulate organic carbon flux to the seafloor, chl-a: chlorophyll a, CPE: chloroplastic pigment equivalents, chl-a:phaeo: chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio, MGS: median grain size, TOM: % of total organic matter, TOC: % of total organic carbon, TN: % of total nitrogen, C:N : molar carbon:nitrogen ratio.

Table 2

Partial Spearman rank correlations with longitude, given depth (rlong|depth), and depth, given longitude (rdepth|long) for environmental and nematode variables.

		rlong|depth	rdepth|long
POC flux		−0.94***	−0.93***
Chl-a	incl. AP3000	−0.54***	−0.24
	excl. AP3000	−0.71***	−0.69*
CPE	incl. AP3000	−0.64***	−0.07
	excl. AP3000	−0.77***	−0.53**
Chla:phaeo	incl. AP3000	0.20	−0.13
	excl. AP3000	0.31	−0.35
MGS		−0.55***	−0.13
Mud		0.49**	−0.003
TOM		0.42*	0.51**
TOC		0.21	0.14
TN		0.25	0.02
C:N		−0.19	0.09
Density		−0.67***	−0.57***
Total biomass		−0.75***	−0.38*
Ind. biomass		−0.65***	0.09
1A		−0.23	0.05
1B		0.02	0.16
2A		−0.32	−0.22
2B		0.67***	0.10

Environmental variables: POC flux (annual particulate organic carbon flux to the seafloor), chl-a (chlorophyll a), CPE (chloroplastic pigment equivalents), chl-a:phaeo (chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio), MGS (median grain size), mud, TOM (% of total organic matter), TOC (% of total organic carbon), TN (% of total nitrogen), C:N (molar carbon: nitrogen ratio). Nematode variables: density, total and ind. biomass, and relative abundances of feeding types 1A (selective deposit feeders), 1B (non-selective deposit feeders), 2A (epistrate feeders) and 2B (predators/scavengers). Station AP3000 represented an outlier for the pigment data and analysis was conducted with and without this station. All analyses, except for POC flux, were run without seamount station GB1200. The number of asterisks denotes the statistical significance level with *P≤0.05, **0.05

The basins sampled are displayed on the x-axis (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin) and are ordered from west to east. The colour of the bars indicates approximate water depth (1200 m: white, 1900 m: grey, 3000 m: dark grey). Bars represent average values; error bars denote standard errors. POC flux: annual particulate organic n class="Chemical">carbon flux to the seafloor, chl-a: chlorophyll a, CPE: chloroplastic pigment equivalents, chl-a:phaeo: chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio, MGS: median grain size, TOM: % of total organic matter, TOC: % of total organic carbon, TN: % of total nitrogen, C:N : molar carbon:nitrogen ratio.

Environmental variables: POC flux (annual particulate organic carbon flux to the seafloor), n class="Chemical">chl-a (chlorophyll a), CPE (chloroplastic pigment equivalents), chl-a:phaeo (chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio), MGS (median grain size), mud, TOM (% of total organic matter), TOC (% of total organic carbon), TN (% of total nitrogen), C:N (molar carbon: nitrogen ratio). Nematode variables: density, total and ind. biomass, and relative abundances of feeding types 1A (selective deposit feeders), 1B (non-selective deposit feeders), 2A (epistrate feeders) and 2B (predators/scavengers). Station AP3000 represented an outlier for the pigment data and analysis was conducted with and without this station. All analyses, except for POC flux, were run without seamount station GB1200. The number of asterisks denotes the statistical significance level with *P≤0.05, **0.05

Benthic Environmental and Nematode Community Characteristics of the Seamount Station

Even though we obtained the highest seafloor POC flux values for seamount station GB1200 (Fig. 3A), this station was characterized by the lowest phytopigment concentrations of all (chl-a: 0.0070±0.0006 µg g−1, n class="Chemical">CPE: 0.441±0.035 µg g−1) (Fig. 3B–C). In addition, we observed divergently low values for TN (0.045±0.002%; Fig. 3G), TOC (0.13±0.02%; Fig. 3H) and TOM (2.13±0.14%; Fig. 3J). The samples collected at GB1200 contained low numbers of nematodes (96.9±27.7 ind. 10 cm−2) relative to the 1200 m station in the western Mediterranean (203.1±5.0 ind. 10 cm−2) and the deeper stations in the GB region (GB1900∶213.5±13.7 ind. 10 cm−2; GB3000∶180.0±54.7 ind. 10 cm−2) (Fig. 4). Fig. 5 shows that the nematode generic composition at the seamount station diverged from that at the non-seamount stations. The SIMPER analysis indicated that this divergence (average dissimilarity: 60.4%) was partly driven by the higher relative abundance of Bolbolaimus, Desmodora, Metadesmolaimus, and Microlaimus/Aponema and the absence of Sphaerolaimus at GB1200 (Table 3). Bolbolaimus was one of the 13 genera that were restricted to station GB1200. Similar to the non-seamount stations, the seamount station was dominated by deposit-feeding nematodes (feeding types 1A +1B; 54.9±5.3%). Of all stations, GB1200 had the highest fraction of epistrate feeders (2A; 44.2±5.5%) and the lowest fraction of predators/scavengers (2B; 0.88±0.45%; Fig. 6).

Figure 4

Longitudinal and bathymetric trends in densities, total and individual biomass of nematodes.

The basins sampled are displayed on the x-axis (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin) and are ordered from west to east. The colour of the bars indicates approximate water depth (1200 m: white, 1900 m: grey, 3000 m: dark grey). Bars represent average values; error bars denote standard errors.

Figure 5

Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) plot of fourth-root transformed relative nematode genus abundances per station.

The dashed line separates the seamount station from the non-seamount stations. Station codes are explained in Table 1.

Table 3

Average (SE) relative abundances (%) of dominant nematode genera (≥3%) per station.

GB1200		GB1900		GB3000		A1200			A1900
Microlaimus/Aponema	12.4 (3.6)	Acantholaimus	15.7 (1.5)	Theristus	9.6 (1.5)	Amphimonhystrella		8.3 (1.6)	Monhystrella	11.4 (1.9)
Leptolaimus	11.3 (1.4)	Daptonema	14.6 (2.3)	Acantholaimus	9.5 (1.5)	Daptonema		7.4 (3.3)	Halalaimus	7.6 (0.1)
Desmodora	10.3 (4.3)	Microlaimus/Aponema	7.9 (3.2)	Microlaimus/Aponema	9.5 (1.1)	Halalaimus		7.3 (1.0)	Acantholaimus	7.3 (4.4)
Bolbolaimus	8.1 (3.5)	Diplopeltula	5.0 (2.6)	Daptonema	9.1 (1.2)	Neochromadora		6.8 (0.9)	Amphimonhystrella	7.1 (0.5)
Richtersia	4.2 (2.1)	Desmoscolex	4.7 (0.5)	Tricoma	7.4 (3.4)	Acantholaimus		6.8 (1.2)	Richtersia	6.7 (0.9)
Metadesmolaimus	4.0 (1.3)	Halalaimus	4.1 (1.3)	Halalaimus	6.6 (0.9)	Leptolaimus		5.9 (2.7)	Sabatieria	6.4 (3.1)
Pselionema	4.0 (1.3)	Thalassomonhystera	4.0 (2.1)	Monhystrella	6.1 (0.3)	Pselionema		4.8 (1.2)	Daptonema	5.3 (0.5)
Acantholaimus	3.8 (1.7)	Leptolaimus	3.9 (2.7)	Diplopeltula	4.0 (0.8)	Richtersia		4.2 (2.3)	Prototricoma	4.0 (0.7)
Halalaimus	3.8 (0.8)	Monhystrella	3.2 (1.2)	Thalassomonhystera	4.0 (1.4)	Desmoscolex		4.1 (1.2)	Leptolaimus	3.7 (2.0)
Daptonema	3.7 (0.5)			Desmoscolex	4.0 (0.1)	Tricoma		3.7 (2.5)	Molgolaimus	3.5 (0.7)
				Prototricoma	3.1 (0.9)	Monhystrella		3.5 (0.7)	Diplopeltula	3.2 (0.7)
AP1900		AP3000		I3000		L1200			L3000
Acantholaimus	13.5 (2.5)	Acantholaimus	13.4 (2.1)	Monhystrella	13.2 (5.1)	Acantholaimus	10.7 (1.8)		Acantholaimus	16.9
Halalaimus	13.5 (0.9)	Halalaimus	12.0 (1.6)	Acantholaimus	12.7 (3.6)	Theristus	5.8 (2.5)		Halalaimus	15.4
Neochromadora	5.4 (2.4)	Amphimonhystrella	6.7 (0.2)	Sphaerolaimus	7.5 (2.9)	Pselionema		5.6 (1.8)	Thalassomonhystera	10.8
Microlaimus/Aponema	5.4 (2.8)	Daptonema	6.6 (2.7)	Halalaimus	5.2 (1.5)	Halalaimus		5.0 (0.8)	Metasphaerolaimus	7.7
Daptonema	4.7 (2.9)	Monhystrella	4.4 (0.9)	Molgolaimus	5.1 (2.2)	Richtersia		4.7 (0.6)	Enchonema	4.6
Monhystrella	4.7 (0.2)	Leptolaimus	3.5 (0.9)	Theristus	5.0 (2.6)	Sabatieria		4.7 (1.0)	Marylinnia	4.6
Amphimonhystrella	3.8 (1.5)	Aegialoalaimus	3.2 (0.7)	Thalassomonhystera	4.8 (2.4)	Molgolaimus		4.1 (0.3)	Oxystomina	4.6
Metasphaerolaimus	3.8 (2.1)			Metasphaerolaimus	4.6 (2.5)	Monhystrella		3.8 (0.1)	Pselionema	4.6
				Aegialoalaimus	3.9 (1.9)	Marylinnia		3.8 (0.5)	Diplopeltula	3.1
				Sabatieria	3.6 (2.0)	Prototricoma		3.8 (0.5)	Manganonema	3.1
				Diplopeltula	3.1 (1.7)	Sphaerolaimus		3.7 (1.6)	Sphaerolaimus	3.1
						Desmoscolex		3.2 (0.8)

The number of replicate samples per station is indicated in Table 1.

Figure 6

Longitudinal and bathymetrical trends in the relative abundance of nematode feeding types.

The basins sampled are displayed on the x-axis (GB: Galicia Bank region, A: Algerian basin, AP: Algero-Provençal basin, I: Ionian basin, L: Levantine basin) and are ordered from west to east. The colour of the bars indicates approximate water depth (1200 m: white, 1900 m: grey, 3000 m: dark grey). Bars represent average values; error bars denote standard errors. 1A: selective deposit feeder, 1B: non-selective deposit feeder, 2A: epistrate feeder, 2B: predator/scavenger).

Benthic Environmental and Nematode Community Characteristics of the Non-seamount Stations

Longitudinal and bathymetric trends in benthic environmental variables

The partial Spearman rank correlation coefficients describing longitudinal and bathymetrical trends at a fixed depth and longitude, respectively, are presented in Table 2. Station AP3000 displayed relatively low POC deposition, albeit elevated sedimentary phytopigment levels (chl-a: 0.3205±0.0108 µg g−1, n class="Chemical">CPE: 6.005±0.324 µg g−1) in comparison with the stations in the GB region and the Algerian basin, and with AP1900. We found a significant longitudinal decline in chl-a and CPE levels (Fig. 3B–C), which was more pronounced (i.e. more negative value of rlong|depth) when station AP3000 was excluded from the analysis. Mud content (Fig. 3F) and MGS (Fig. 3E) increased and decreased, respectively, from west to east. The percentage of TOM showed a positive relation with longitude and with water depth (Fig. 3J). Sedimentary TOC (Fig. 3H), TN (Fig. 3G) and consequently C:N (Fig. 3I) values did not change with depth or longitude.

Longitudinal and Bathymetric Trends in Nematode Community Characteristics

The relative densities of the various meiofaunal taxa encountered at each (seamount+non-seamount) station are listed in Table S1. Nematodes prevailed at all stations, accounting for 70.0–96.1% of meiofaunal abundance. The second most numerous taxon were the copepods (adults+nauplii; 1.8–25.0%). At some stations polychaetes, tardigrades or rotifers represented more than 1% of total meiofaunal abundance.

Table 2 contains the coefficients of the Spearman rank correlations for nematode density and biomass with longitude and depth. Nematode standing stock (i.e. total densities and biomass) den class="Chemical">clined with longitude and with depth. Individual nematode biomass also decreased from west to east but remained constant with increasing water depth.

For all stations (seamount and non-seamount), we recorded 150 nematode genera of which the numerically dominant ones (contributing ≥3% of total abundance) are listed in Table 3. Acantholaimus and Halalaimus were amongst the dominant genera at every station. Only eleven genera were encountered at all stations. When water depth was fitted first in the DISTLM model (excluding GB1200), there was a graded transition in nematode genus composition from west to east (sequential tests, depth: P<0.05; longitude: P<0.001; Fig. 5). Additionally, when longitude was fixed, depth contributed significantly to the explained variation in genus composition (sequential DISTLM tests, longitude: P<0.001; depth: P<0.05). Longitude (depth fitted first: 18.6%, longitude fitted first: 18.5%) explained a greater fraction of the variability in nematode genus composition than n class="Chemical">water depth (depth fitted first: 6.9%, longitude fitted first: 7.0%). The BEST analysis showed that at 1200 m depth the genus Chromadorina was most responsible (R = 0.99) for the divergence between A1200 and L1200, which was absent from the latter station. At the 1900 m stations, Manganonema and Spirodesma, both only found at the GB region, were steering the longitudinal gradient in genus composition (R = 0.62). Linhomoeus (absent from the Ionian and Levantine basin), Metasphaerolaimus (more prevalent in the Levantine and Ioanian basin) and Gnomoxyala (restricted to the Ionian Sea) were the genera mainly responsible for the cline in genus composition at the abyssal stations (R = 0.75).

The trophic structure of the nematode communities at all (seamount+non-seamount) stations is illustrated in Fig. 6. Deposit feeders (1A +1B) prevailed at all stations and accounted for 45.7 to 85.7% of total nematode abundance. Except for half of the I3000 samples, in which epistrate feeders (2A) attained lowest relative abundances, predators/scavengers (2B) were represented the least (range: 0–15.4%). The relative abundance of predatory/scavenging nematodes displayed a positive longitudinal gradient (Table 2).

Correlations between Seafloor POC Flux and Benthic Environmental Variables

Seafloor POC flux showed an inverse relationship with station-averaged TOM (Spearman rank, r = −0.78, P = 0.01).

Environmental Drivers of Nematode Assemblages

The Spearman rank correlations computed between environmental variables and nematode community descriptors are shown in Table 4. Nematode density and biomass were both correlated with the magnitude of seafloor POC flux, but related more strongly to benthic parameters like TOC (in the case of nematode density) and n class="Chemical">TN (total biomass). Nematode individual biomass was impacted positively by sedimentary C:N levels, and displayed an inverse relationship with sedimentary mud and TN content. The generic structure of the nematodes related significantly to sedimentary organic matter and nitrogen concentrations. Although chlorophyll pigments were not correlated with nematode genus composition, the variability between replicate samples of the same station declined with increasing pigment concentration (Spearman rank, chl-a: r = -0.83, P<0.05; CPE: r = -0.76, P<0.05; Fig. 7). After omission of station I3000, from which an aberrantly high number of replicates (n = 7) were collected, this relationship was still significant for chl-a (Spearman rank, r = −0.79, P = 0.05), but not for CPE (r = −0.68, P = 0.11).

Table 4

Spearman rank correlations between station-level nematode and environmental variables.

	POC flux	Chl-a	CPE	Chl-a:phaeo	TOM	TOC	TN	C:N	MGS	mud
Density	0.85**	0.62	0.60	0.12	−0.52	−0.88**	−0.71	0.12	0.28	−0.32
Ind. biomass	0.50	0.14	0.69	−0.55	−0.65	−0.10	−0.93**	0.76*	0.63	−0.85**
Total biomass	0.77*	0.40	0.62	−0.26	−0.67	−0.52	−0.98***	0.57	0.57	−0.62
Genus comp.	0.02	−0.17	0.30	−0.23	0.44*	0.40*	0.40*	0.04	−0.12	−0.14
1A	0.20	0.17	−0.14	0.45	0.25	−0.76*	−0.48	−0.10	−0.40	0.27
1B	−0.08	0.24	0.31	0.14	0.15	0.14	0.05	−0.05	−0.02	−0.08
2A	0.35	0.19	0.64	−0.60	−0.45	−0.12	−0.45	0.60	0.65	−0.22
2B	−0.57	−0.38	−0.64	0.17	0.37	0.60	0.79*	−0.36	−0.33	0.38

Environmental variables: POC flux (annual particulate organic carbon flux to the seafloor), chl-a (chlorophyll a), CPE (chloroplastic pigment equivalents), chl-a:phaeo (chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio), TOM (% of total organic matter), TOC (% of total organic carbon), TN (% of total nitrogen), C:N (molar carbon: nitrogen ratio) MGS (median grain size) and mud. Nematode variables: density, total and ind. biomass, and relative abundances of feeding types 1A (selective deposit feeders), 1B (non-selective deposit feeders), 2A (epistrate feeders) and 2B (predators/scavengers). Correlations between genus composition (genus comp.) and environmental variables were obtained through the RELATE procedure. The number of asterisks denotes the statistical significance level with *P≤0.05, **0.05

Figure 7

Within-station variability in nematode genus composition in function of sedimentary phytopigment concentrations.

Top: chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentrations. Bottom: chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE). Pigment data were missing for station A1900. Only one sample was collected at L3000, prohibiting the assessment of within-station variability in community structure.

Top: chlorophyll a (n class="Chemical">chl-a) concentrations. Bottom: chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE). Pigment data were missing for station A1900. Only one sample was collected at L3000, prohibiting the assessment of within-station variability in community structure.

Environmental variables: POC flux (annual particulate organic carbon flux to the seafloor), n class="Chemical">chl-a (chlorophyll a), CPE (chloroplastic pigment equivalents), chl-a:phaeo (chlorophyll a: phaeopigments ratio), TOM (% of total organic matter), TOC (% of total organic carbon), TN (% of total nitrogen), C:N (molar carbon: nitrogen ratio) MGS (median grain size) and mud. Nematode variables: density, total and ind. biomass, and relative abundances of feeding types 1A (selective deposit feeders), 1B (non-selective deposit feeders), 2A (epistrate feeders) and 2B (predators/scavengers). Correlations between genus composition (genus comp.) and environmental variables were obtained through the RELATE procedure. The number of asterisks denotes the statistical significance level with *P≤0.05, **0.05

We found only few significant associations between the relative densities of nematode feeding types and environmental variables at the station level (Table 4). Selective deposit feeders (feeding type 1A) were affected negatively by sedimentary TOC levels, whereas predatory/scavenging nematodes (2B) contributed more to total nematode abundances in sediments with elevated n class="Chemical">TN levels.

Discussion

Longitudinal Trend in NPP

Our Vertically Generalized Production Modeled NPP data revealed a decline in surface productivity along a longitudinal transect from the GB region to the eastern Mediterranean, in agreement with previously reported in situ measurements [59] and other satellite-based estimates [41], [44] for the Mediterranean Sea. The longitudinal drop in productivity was more pronounced for the in situ measurements of Moutin and Raimbault [59] (factor 2.2–2.9) compared to our data (1.8) and those of Bosc et al. [44] (1.5). Standard algorithms used to convert n class="Chemical">ocean colour data to chlorophyll concentrations have been proven to systematically overestimate actual concentrations in the Mediterranean, especially in the oligotrophic parts of the basin [44], [60]. However, the west-east difference in productivity reported in this study, in which standard algorithms were used, is larger than that recorded by Bosc et al. [44] who employed a bio-optical algorithm adapted for Mediterranean waters.

The NPP data estimated here were high compared to those reported previously for the same oceanographic regions. This may be related to the usage of different algorithms, which may provide divergent estimates of NPP [61], [62]. Joint el al. [35] provided a regional NPP estimate for the northwestern Iberian margin, where the GB is situated, of ∼220 g C m−2 yr−1, which is about three times lower than our value for the GB1200 station (693.5 g C m−2 yr−1). This may point to a local NPP maximum associated with the GB, which has been observed before for some seamounts [63]. However, unlike seamount station GB1200, the deeper stations in the GB region experience, besides a chlorophyll maximum in spring, a NPP peak in late summer, resulting in higher annual NPP. This second NPP maximum may result from offshore transport of phytoplankton produced at the shelf following coastal upwelling during summer [35]. Also for the various Mediterranean regions, our NPP approximations (Fig. 2A) were consistently a factor 3 to 4 higher than the satellite-based values of Bosc et al. [44] (Algerian basin: 162.5 g C m−2 yr−1, Algero-Provençal basin: 153 g C m−2 yr−1, Ionian basin: 120.4 g C m−2 yr−1, Levantine basin: 106.3 g C m−2 yr−1). Because of the presence of Saharan dust in Mediterranean surface waters, standard algorithms, such as VGPM, tend to overestimate NPP in this basin [44], [60]. Bosc et al. [44] employed a regional algorithm, adapted for Mediterranean waters, which was believed to generate less biased NPP values.

Longitudinal Trend in Seafloor POC Flux

The productivity gradient between the GB region and the eastern Mediterranean was accompanied by a reduction in seafloor POC flux, conforming with sediment trap data for the Mediterranean basin [39]. However, several factors may have resulted in a bias in these estimated POC flux data.

The POC flux calculated for the seamount station was most probably an overestimate since local strong near-bottom currents may have diverted the POC rain [4]–[5], [64]. The coarse sediment texture at the GB was previously ascribed to the winnowing of the fine sediment fraction by strong bottom currents [37], [65]. At station GB1200, maximal estimated POC deposition was associated with minimal benthic pigment concentrations, pointing to a decoupling between NPP and POC deposition (but see later). However, the POC flux we approximated for GB1200 (Fig. 2A) was similar to the values of Duineveld et al. [37] at 800 m depth (6.2–12.8 g C m−2 yr−1).

The POC sedimentation rates estimated for the Mediterranean stations were either lower than or comparable to those previously reported. At 3000 m depth in the Algero-Provençal basin, Zúñiga et al. [6] recorded a POC flux of 1 g C m−2 yr−1, which is one third of the value we found for station AP3000. In the Antikythira strait, which connects the Aegean with the Ionian Sea, the amount of POC collected with a sediment trap placed 1345 m deep was 3.9 g C m−2 yr−1 [66], which is of the same order as the POC flux we estimated for the same depth in the Levantine Sea (4.7±0.1 g C m−2 yr−1). In the Cretan Sea, north of Crete, Danovaro et al. [39] measured a four times lower POC flux of 1.2 g C m−2 yr−1, inferred from sediment trap data. The divergence between modeled POC flux and that measured by sediment traps may be related to the systematic bias associated with the latter caused by, amongst others, inclusion of swimmers, hydrodynamic biases, degradation of trapped organic material [67].

Additional potential bias in the POC flux estimated via the algorithm of Lutz et al. [50] may be introduced by (1) the limited coverage of the data, on which the algorithm was based, relative to the World ocean surface (including only two (rather productive) locations from the Mediterranean), and (2) the fact that the seasonal variability in NPP is not the only factor that governs the amount of POC that is transported to depth. First of all, POC that sinks from the euphotic zone does not only comprise phytoplankton-derived material, but also consists of fecal pellets and zooplankton moults [2], [3]. The contribution of fecal pellets to the POC rain can be substantial (up to 100% of total POC flux) and varies between regions [68]. Secondly, the composition and activity (which is affected by seawater temperature) of pelagic zooplankton and bacterial communities, as well as the overall food-web structure determines the efficiency of the biological pump [69]. Siokou-Frangou et al. [70] describe the disparity in the composition of plankton communities between the western and the eastern Mediterranean, which may lead to differences in POC transport efficiency. The inclusion of data on circulation patterns, and plankton community and food web structure may lead to a refinement of the algorithm to estimate POC flux.

Benthic-pelagic Coupling: Effects on the Seafloor Environment

The longitudinal cline in surface productivity and resulting sedimentation rates between the GB region and the Levantine basin was mirrored in the benthic phytopigment concentrations, consistent with Pusceddu et al. [71] (Portugese-Cretan margin) and Gambi and Danovaro [72] (western versus eastern Mediterranean).

At seamount station GB1200 (high POC flux, low pigment concentrations) and abyssal plain station AP3000 (low POC flux, high pigment concentrations), seafloor POC flux data did not appear to match with sedimentary pigment levels. We argue that the high pigment levels observed for AP3000 relative to the GB stations and A1200 are primarily caused by the different timing of the expeditions during which these stations were sampled. The pigment samples from AP3000 were collected in June, when NPP values were nearly maximal (Fig. 2B). In contrast, sampling at the GB region and at station AP1900 was conducted in October-November when NPP was at a low. In June, however, NPP values for the GB region exceeded those for the western Mediterranean. Thus, at least part of the divergence between seafloor POC flux and pigment concentrations can be attributed to the usage of annual composite POC flux data, which do not take into account seasonal heterogeneity. However, the difference in pigment concentrations between A1200 and AP3000, both sampled in June, cannot be attributed to seasonal sampling differences. The smaller pigment pool at A1200 may be the consequence of the more extensive, total (i.e. mega-, macro-, and meiofauna, as well as prokaryotes) benthic community at this shallower depth [19], [20]. As for the seamount station, the discrepancy between POC deposition and pigment concentrations may also be a result of the usage of annual composite POC flux in combination with pigment data obtained in October. Nonetheless, an additional explanation for the low pigment concentrations at GB1200 is the strong hydrodynamic forcing, sweeping away fine phytodetrital matter (see earlier).

In contrast to Relexans et al. [73], Gambi and Danovaro [72] and Lampadariou et al. [28], we did not observe lower sediment TOC, n class="Chemical">TN or TOM values at the less productive stations. Bulk concentrations of these elements do not necessarily represent food availability, since part of nitrogen or carbon containing material might be either intrinsically refractory or unavailable for consumption owing to physical protection by organic or inorganic matrices [74]. Hence, we consider TOC, TN, TOM and C:N to be potential but not definite nematode food indicators. In addition, although these variables are often regarded as a measure of POC deposition, they can be more closely associated with grain size (owing to its relationship with surface: volume ratios) than with OM delivery [75], [76]. In the present study, however, we did not find statistically significant relations between sediment grain size and TN, TOC or TOM.

Benthic-pelagic Coupling: Effects on Nematode Standing Stock

The present study supports the general notion that deep-sea sediments underlying productive waters harbor elevated meiofaunal (nematode) standing stock [28], [46], [72], [73], [77]–[79]. Also the n class="Disease">deep-sea megabenthos attains higher biomass in the more productive western Mediterranean compared to the more oligotrophic eastern basin [80].

The correlation analysis pointed towards the significance of food availability, in terms of POC sedimentation rates and even more importantly sedimentary TN and n class="Chemical">TOC levels, for nematode standing stock. However, the results obtained for the seamount station indicate that food may not be the only determinant of nematode biomass. Correspondingly, in his review on meiofauna along continental margins, Soltwedel [25] noticed considerable variation in the relationship between CPE and meiofaunal abundances between geographic regions, which he attributed to the interference of other environmental and/or biotic factors. The unusually low standing stock at GB1200 was believed to be the result of the strong hydrodynamical forcing (inferred from the coarse and well-sorted sediments [37], [65]) either through the exertion of physical stress or through the low food availability that comes with it, or both. Food shortage at GB1200 is suggested by the low amounts of phytopigments, nitrogen and organic matter within the sediments. In support, Thistle and Levin [81] documented reduced nematode abundances under experimental strong near-bottom flow.

Opposed to Danovaro et al. [82], the longitudinal trophic gradient was accompanied by a significant drop in individual nematode biomass. Based on an extensive literature analysis, Udalov et al. [83] described a positive effect of grain size and food availability on individual nematode biomass. In contrast, Soetaert et al. [84], who analyzed raw biomass data, found no effect of grain size on individual biomass. In our study area, individual nematode biomass decreased with increasing sedimentary mud content, but strangely also with sedimentary TN concentrations. This finding suggests that bulk n class="Chemical">TN concentrations might not represent a suitable proxy for the amount of food available to nematodes. Note that the lack of a relationship between nematode size and labile phytodetritus, a potentially better measure for food availability than TN, may be the result of the fact that we had to average environmental and faunal variables per station, thereby expunging (co)variation in both parameters at a smaller spatial scale.

Benthic-pelagic Coupling: Effects on Nematode Community Structure

There was a highly significant and strong reduction in core surface area from the GB region to the eastern Mediterranean (Spearman rank, r = -0.74, P<0.001). Thus, since sample volume might have an impact on genus composition (smaller samples might contain comparatively less rare genera than larger sediment samples), the observed longitudinal gradient could result partly from the heterogeneity in core surface area. Nevertheless, the generic composition of the nematode assemblages changed gradually from the GB region to the eastern Mediterranean together with several benthic environmental variables (TN, n class="Chemical">TOC and TOM). The significance of (potential) food availability to the structure of nematode assemblages was also demonstrated by Ingels et al. [85] (TN, chl-a, chl-a:TOC) and Fonseca and Soltwedel [86] (particulate proteins and phospholipids). Similar to Fonseca and Soltwedel [86] (who studied nematode species composition in the Arctic), we noted increased variability in nematode community structure among replicate samples in sediments with reduced phytopigment concentrations. Fonseca and Soltwedel [86] invoked the energy-richness hypothesis [87] as an explanation for this pattern. According to this hypothesis, low energy levels result in small population sizes of species, and local stochastic events restrict species’ distribution ranges.

The gradual change in nematode trophic structure from west to east was mainly driven by the increased relative abundance of predatory/scavenging nematodes (mainly Sphaerolaimus and Metasphaerolaimus) with longitude. Although they found no statistically significant relationship between predator/scavenger abundance and longitude, Danovaro et al. [82] also noticed a higher representation of this particular feeding guild in the eastern compared to the western Mediterranean. The lower fraction of predatory/scavenging nematodes in the more productive western part of our transect implies that members of this feeding guild do not relate directly to the supply of surface-derived OM. As Gage [2] stated, in oligotrophic regions, organisms feeding upon sedimented POC may suffer a disadvantage compared to those that do not. In support, Sibuet et al. [88] counted most necrophagous amphipods at the most oligotrophic site in the tropical Atlantic. In contrast, sediments from the Nazaré canyon [89] and from several Mediterranean canyons [90], which receive high POC loadings, harbored a higher percentage of predators/scavengers relative to adjacent open slope stations. This paradox calls for more detailed investigations into the environmental drivers of predator/scavenger abundances.

Epistrate feeders were especially abundant at the GB seamount, as observed for Maud Rise in the Antarctic [91] and for sediments surrounding the Paluniro seamount in the western Mediterranean [92]. However, at the Marsili seamount in the western Mediterranean the share of epistrate feeders was limited and as such the dominance of this feeding type in seamount sediments cannot be generalized. Nevertheless, there were very few seamount studies addressing nematode community structure with which we could compare our results, and much more research in this field is definitely needed.

Conclusions

Along the longitudinal transect from the Galicia Bank region to the eastern Mediterranean, downward benthic-pelagic coupling was evident in terms of phytopigment concentrations, and in standing stock, size, genus and trophic composition of nematodes in bathyal and abyssal sediments. Standing sn class="Chemical">tock seemed to be regulated by POC deposition and benthic potential food indicators (i.e. percentage of nitrogen, organic carbon, and total organic matter), whereas genus composition was only related to the latter. The significant relationship between nematode parameters and POC flux does not necessarily imply these organisms feed upon the sedimented OM directly; for instance bacteria, another potential nematode food source, are often associated with phytodetritus [93].

Climate change is expected to modify the biogeochemical fluxes to the deep sea, which regulate the community structure and function of deep-sea benthic communities [94]. Long-term studies in the northeast Pacific and at the Porcupine abyssal plain have revealed climate-driven variation in the community structure of foraminiferans, mega- and macrofauna in abyssal sediments [95]. The coupling between bathyal and abyssal nematode assemblages and surface n class="Chemical">water processes, as evidenced in the present study, suggests that it is likely that climate change will affect the composition and function of deep-sea nematodes as well.

Average (SE) relative meiofaunal taxon densities (%) per station. The number of replicate deployments per station can be found in Table 1.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.