Bait-attending amphipods in the deep sea: A comparison of three localities in the north-eastern Atlantic

Scavenging amphipods were studied at three locations along the 20 degrees W meridian in the north-eastern Atlantic using vertical arrays of baited traps. The sampling sites had several features in common. All amphipods captured belonged to the superfamily Lysianassoidea. Generally, highest densities of amphipods were found in the bottom traps. Abundances as well as species diversity were strongly reduced in traps exposed from 8-500 m above bottom. However, differences between stations occurred in standing stocks, decreasing from north to south, in the taxonomic composition of the bait-attending amphipods and in the vertical distribution and size structure of the giant amphipod Eurythenes gryllus. Possible reasons for the differences between the locations are discussed and the establishment of at least two provinces in terms of bait-attending amphipods in the eastern North Atlantic is suggested.