Structure and composition of the deep-sea fish community between 150 and 2050 m depth on the Canary Islands, eastern-central Atlantic

Abstract

The structure and composition of the deep-sea fish community living on the slope off the Canary Islands (eastern-central Atlantic) were investigated. Data were collected by means of eight research cruises (165 stations) at depths between 150 and 2050 m. A total of 4475 fish specimens belonging to 43 families and 78 species (21 Elasmobranchii, 1 Holocephali, and 56 Actinopterygii) were collected with longlines. In the number of individuals, the deep-sea demersal fish fauna was dominated by fishes of the family Synaphobranchidae, followed by Sparidae, Somniosidae, Centrophoridae, and Trichiuridae. The main abundant species were Synaphobranchus affinis, Dentex macrophthalmus, Pagellus acarne, Zameus squamulosus, Aphanopus carbo, Squalus megalops, Centroscymnus coelolepis, and Centroscymnus owstonii. Elasmobranchs, with 1519 individuals, showed a high abundance (33.94%) on the longlines, although their importance increased when the data were analysed by weight, reaching 54.07% (4588 kg), with Zameus squamulosus being the fourth most important species.