REPLICABILITY OF AN EPIBENTHIC SAMPLER

Hyperbenthos was sampled at six stations on the western slope of the Norwegian Trough. Four hauls, two day and two night replicates were taken at each station. The replicates were analyzed based on all sampled individuals of Mysidacea and Decapoda Natantia using Shannon diversity index, Spearman rank correlation, G-test, Bray-Curtis similarity index and Correspondence Analysis. The sampler provided samples of mysids and shrimps with an acceptable level of replicability based on number of individuals and diversity. In a cost-efficient context it is satisfactory to take only one sample at a station.