The ecology of scattering layer biota around Indian Ocean seamounts and islands
Abstract
The waters of the open ocean constitute the largest living space on Earth but despite its obvious significance to the biosphere, the open ocean remains an unexplored frontier. With
a regional focus on the Indian Ocean, this thesis investigates (i) the distribution of pelagic
biota on basin scales, (ii) the effect of abrupt topography on pelagic biota and their predator-prey relationships, and (iii) the use of genetic techniques to elucidate population connectivity and dispersal of pelagic taxa.
(i) Pelagic scattering layers (SLs) were surveyed with scientific echosounders across the
southwest (SWIO) and central Indian Ocean to investigate their vertical and geographical
distribution. Structurally distinct SL regimes were found across the Subantarctic Front,
and may explain recently observed foraging behaviours of southern elephant seals. Regression models indicated a close relationship between sea surface temperature and mean volume backscatter, with significantly elevated backscatter in the subtropical convergence zone. The heterogeneous distribution of scattering layer biota may have implications for predator foraging and carbon cycling in the Indian Ocean.
(ii) Acoustic surveys revealed diverse interactions between SLs, aggregations and topography around islands as well as shallow (<200m) and intermediate (200-800m) seamounts at spatial scales from 1 to 100 km. Epi-and mesopelagic backscatter was increased around reefs and banks of the Chagos archipelago, indicating connectivity between oceanic and neritic systems. SWIO seamounts harboured summit-associated aggregations, but the distributions of surrounding SLs did not follow a general pattern. Downstream SL depletion was observed in one location and combined with stomach content analyses, provides an insight into the mechanics of prey flux between open-ocean and seamount ecosystems.
(iii) A mitochondrial marker was used to assess the population structure and demography
of the hatchetfish Argyropelecus aculeatus in the SWIO. The results are suggestive of a
single, well-connected population and indicate a recent population expansion around 0.14
million years ago. This highlights that even highly abundant mesopelagic populations are
vulnerable to global climatic changes.
Dispersal and recruitment are key ecological processes structuring seamount communities
and are directly relevant for the management of exploited populations. Genetic barcoding
was evaluated as a means to identify cryptic larval specimens of eels (leptocephali) and
spiny lobsters (phyllosomata). Identification success was limited, but indicated the presence
of 3-4 phyllosoma clades and 5-6 leptocephalus clades along the SWIR.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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