Advances in Taxonomy, Ecology, and Biogeography of Dirivultidae (Copepoda) Associated with Chemosynthetic Environments in the Deep Sea
and Biogeography of Dirivultidae (Copepoda) Associated with
Chemosynthetic Environments in the Deep Sea. PLoS ONE 5(8): e9801. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009801
Advances in Taxonomy, Ecology, and Biogeography of Dirivultidae (Copepoda) Associated with Chemosynthetic Environments in the Deep Sea
Sabine Gollner 0
Viatcheslav N. Ivanenko 0
Pedro Martnez Arbizu 0
Monika Bright 0
Anna Stepanova, Paleontological Institute, Russian Federation
0 1 Department of Marine Biology, University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria , 2 Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University , Moscow, Russia, 3 Deutsches Zentrum fu r Marine Biodiversita tsforschung, Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Wilhelmshaven , Germany
Background: Copepoda is one of the most prominent higher taxa with almost 80 described species at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The unique copepod family Dirivultidae with currently 50 described species is the most species rich invertebrate family at hydrothermal vents. Methodology/Principal Findings: We reviewed the literature of Dirivultidae and provide a complete key to species, and map geographical and habitat specific distribution. In addition we discuss the ecology and origin of this family. Conclusions/Significance: Dirivultidae are only present at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and along the axial summit trough of midocean ridges, with the exception of Dirivultus dentaneus found associated with Lamellibrachia species at 1125 m depth off southern California. To our current knowledge Dirivultidae are unknown from shallow-water vents, seeps, whale falls, and wood falls. They are a prominent part of all communities at vents and in certain habitat types (like sulfide chimneys colonized by pompei worms) they are the most abundant animals. They are free-living on hard substrate, mostly found in aggregations of various foundation species (e.g. alvinellids, vestimentiferans, and bivalves). Most dirivultid species colonize more than one habitat type. Dirivultids have a world-wide distribution, but most genera and species are endemic to a single biogeographic region. Their origin is unclear yet, but immigration from other deep-sea chemosynthetic habitats (stepping stone hypothesis) or from the deep-sea sediments seems unlikely, since Dirivultidae are unknown from these environments. Dirivultidae is the most species rich family and thus can be considered the most successful taxon at deep-sea vents.
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Copepoda are estimated to contribute more than 15% to the
total number of animal species known from deep-sea
hydrothermal vents worldwide [1]. Almost 80 species are currently
described from the orders Harpacticoida, Calanoida, Cyclopoida,
Poecilostomatoida and Siphonostomatoida, but many more
species await identification and description [2]. The Dirivultidae,
a family belonging to the Siphonostomatoida, is the most diverse
one of all animal families at vents with 13 genera including 50
described species. The most diverse genus is Stygiopontius with 21
species. Similar diverse faunal groups at deep-sea hydrothermal
vents are Gastropoda with about 100 described species, including
the prominent family Lepetodrilidae with 20 species and within
this family the large genus Lepetodrilus (13 known species).
Polychaeta are also represented with currently 111 species and
the Polynoidae including 24 species [3].
In hard substrate ecosystems like many hydrothermal vents,
copepods can be the most abundant and diverse meiofaunal taxon
[4,5]. Copepods in general play an important role in various
ecosystems, being usually the second dominant higher meiofauna
taxon following the nematodes [6]. They are known from marine
and freshwater plankton, marine sediments, cryptic habitats (soil,
forest litter, terrestrial mosses, tree holes), subterranean habitats
(springs, pools in caves), anchialine caves, deep-sea vents, and as
animal and plant associates [7]. Their ecological importance is
high and in some ecosystems as e.g. in the plankton, copepods are
the main primary consumers. Copepods are essential for nutrient
recycling and their fecal pellets are a central source for detritus
feeders, but also the animals themselves are an abundant feeding
source for macrofauna [7].
Dirivultidae are found in frequent and diverse numbers at
hydrothermal vents around the globe. For this review we
developed a simple identification table which should help scientists
to identify these copepods easy in future. Ecological aspects such as
abundance and diversity patterns are evaluated. We also provide
an update on current distribution patterns of this unique family
and discuss the origin of Dirivultidae.
We reviewed the literature of Dirivultidae, including all species
descriptions and ecological studies. Original species descriptions
were used to develop a key to genera and species. We investigated
the occurrence of dirivultids in chemosynthetic habitats such as
hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, wood falls and whale falls in the
deep sea to provide a com (...truncated)