Topic
Snipe eel
About: Snipe eel is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4 publications have been published within this topic receiving 53 citations. The topic is also known as: Nemichthyidae.
Papers
TL;DR: Association of demersal fish taxa with Geodia-dominated temperate sponge grounds was examined in 104 research vessel survey trawl sets from 500 to 1500 m depth along the conti- nental slopes of the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap, northwest Atlantic.
Abstract: Association of demersal fish taxa with Geodia-dominated temperate sponge grounds was examined in 104 research vessel survey trawl sets from 500 to 1500 m depth along the conti- nental slopes of the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap, northwest Atlantic. The total number of fish taxa and their total biomass were negatively correlated with sponge biomass and catch depth, and sponge biomass increased with depth. ANOSIM identified significantly different fish communities (biomass and abundance composition) associated with 3 sponge catch weight classes, and multi- dimensional scaling plots showed separation of trawl sets labelled by this factor to be strongest for abundance. SIMPER analysis identified the fish assemblage associated with the sponge grounds (≥250 kg km �1 ): roughhead grenadier Macrourus berglax, roundnose grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris, blue hake Antimora rostrata, longnose eel Synaphobranchus kaupii, turbot Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, black dogfish Centroscyllium fabricii and deep-sea cat shark Apristurus profun- dorum. These contributed to 92 and 81% of the similarity (~50%) among trawl set catches using biomass and abundance data, respectively. Four additional taxa contributed to 92% similarity in abundance: common grenadier Nezumia bairdii, shortnose snipe eel Serrivomer beanii, lantern- fish (Myctophidae) and goitre blacksmelts Bathylagus euryops. SIMPER dissimilarity identified 6 fish taxa with larger biomass in catches with high sponge catch weight: shortnose snipe eel, deep- sea cat shark, eelpout Lycodes spp., spinytail skate Bathyraja spinicauda, white skate Dipturus linteus and deepwater chimaeras Hydrolagus affinis. The first 3 species were also more abundant in those catches and are considered to be strongly associated with the sponge grounds. Future research focussing on these species identified as being associated with the sponge grounds may provide greater insight into the strength of the associations and the ecological linkages between these benthic and pelagic communities.
64 citations
TL;DR: A nemichthyid eel apparently of the genus Avocettina was observed and video recorded during the day from a submersible operating above the deep western slope of the West Mariana Ridge at a depth of about 800 m, with its long-thin body held rigidly straight.
Abstract: A nemichthyid eel apparently of the genus Avocettina was observed and video recorded during the day from a submersible operating above the deep western slope of the West Mariana Ridge at a depth of about 800 m. The eel was oriented vertically, head-upward, with its long-thin body held rigidly straight. It remained motionless for more than 1 min except for small constant oscillations of the tip of the tail. It showed no reaction to the presence of the approaching submersible until contacting it. This body position has been seen in nemichthyid eels previously by submersibles in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It is postulated to be a prey or predator detection tactic that optimizes the use of the visual or lateral line senses. It may also be an efficient way to maintain a position or to move slowly through the water column without disrupting sensory function.
11 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |