ATLANTIS-II CRUISE - UNIFORMITY OF DEEP COPEPOD ASSEMBLAGES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN-SEA

Studies of the community structure and biomass of deep copepods below 500 m from R/V Atlantis II cruises AII49 and AII59 in May-June 1969 and September-October 1970 denote uniformity in deep assemblages among all major Mediterranean subregions. Of the 65 copepod species recorded from 600-2500 m, 45 were common for both Western and Eastern basins. Eight of these species were dominant for all deep Mediterranean waters, comprising 77% of the deep plankton population. The uniformity of deep copepod assemblages was confirmed by the Mantel test applied to a simulated sampling procedure. Only in terms of biomass did Western and Eastern basins show appreciable regional differences with highest values for density and volume characterizing Western stations.