Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : We report the northernmost and deepest known occurrence of deep-water pycnodontine oysters based on two surveys along the French Atlantic continental margin to the La Chapelle continental slope (2006) and the Guilvinec Canyon (2008) The combined use of multibeam bathymetry seismic profiling CTD casts and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) made it possible to describe the physical habitat and to assess the oceanographic control for the recently described species Neopycnodonte zibrowii These oysters have been observed in vivo in depths from 540 to 846 m colonizing overhanging banks or escarpments protruding from steep canyon flanks Especially in the Bay of Biscay such physical habitats may only be observed within canyons where they are created by both long-term turbiditic and contouritic processes Frequent observations of sand ripples on the seabed indicate the presence of a steady but enhanced bottom current of about 40 cm/s The occurrence of oysters also coincides with the Interface between the Eastern North Atlantic Water and the Mediterranean Outflow Water A combination of this water mass mixing internal tide generation and a strong primary surface productivity may generate an enhanced nutrient flux which is funnelled through the canyon When the ideal environmental conditions are met up to 100 individuals per m(2) may be observed These deep-water oysters require a vertical habitat which is often incompatible with the requirements of other sessile organisms and are only sparsely distributed along the continental margins The discovery of these giant oyster banks illustrates the rich biodiversity of deep-sea canyons and their underestimation as true ecosystem hotspots (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
Deep-sea Research Part I-oceanographic Research Papers (0967-0637) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2010-12 , Vol. 57 , N. 12 , P. 1561-1572

Droits : 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00023/13419/14034.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.dsr.2010.09.002
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00023/13419/

Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : Bivalve larvae and hydrographic parameters were sampled over a range of spatio-temporal scales in a deep atoll lagoon. Bivalve larvae abundances were very high throughout the year: 18,550 m(-3) in average. Larvae were (i) concentrated at mid-depth with nocturnal ascent and diurnal descent, (ii) heterogeneously dispersed at the lagoon scale, (iii) subject to day-to-day variation in abundance and (iv) transferred between different parts of the lagoon providing evidence of intra-lagoonal connectivity. The primacy of physical factors was seen on large spatial scale with the diluting effect of water renewal and transfers by hydrodynamics. On smaller spatial scale, the primacy of biological processes was recognised, with larval swimming activity leading to dial vertical migration correlated with food concentration. Variations in larval abundance were driven by bivalve reproductive activity correlated with meteorological conditions (i.e. windy periods). Finally, relationship between bivalve larvae patterns and pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) settlement structuring is discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2012 , Vol. 65 , N. 10-12 , P. 453-462

Droits : 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00101/21200/20690.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.12.028
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00101/21200/