Abstract
A total of 66 statistical analyses were made on published data for 48 taxa from replicate cores ranging in water depths from < 1 m to 2975 m. Species with maximum densities in the top 2 cm were classified as shallow infaunal (SI). Species with maximum densities extending below 2 cm were classified as deep infaunal (DI). At < 1 m depths, 14% of the analyses indicate SI habitats, at 85 and 202 m depths 82% and at 895–2975 m depths 35%. Nine taxa are exclusively SI, only two of these have more than one analysis, and none are from < 1 m. Most taxa, therefore, are DI. The two species exhibiting subsurface density maxima, for which multiple analyses were possible, do not do so exclusively. Arenaceous taxa are usually DI. Our assignment of taxa into SI or DI infaunal habitats based on their morphology had a 75% accuracy. The data suggest that as more observations are made, it becomes increasingly difficult to assign a species exclusively to a specific habitat category.
Published Version
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