Recent brachiopod diversity and distribution from the central Cantabrian Sea and the Avilés Canyons System (Bay of Biscay)

Abstract

An accurate knowledge of the species diversity from deep-sea ecosystems is an imperative requirement in order to protect these environments in the context of global change and the biodiversity loss. We have examined the Brachiopoda samples collected during the COCACE (1987–88) and BIOCANT (2012–13) oceanographic cruises, from the central Cantabrian Sea and the Avilés Canyons System (ACS). The ACS is included in the Natura 2000 as a Site of Community Importance. Brachiopod specimens were collected from the continental shelf, slope and bathyal zones, ranging in deep from 117 to 4700 m. Nine hundred and thirty specimens belonging to 15 taxa (12 species and three subspecific varieties), in 12 families, were recognized. The species Dyscolia subquadrata is reported for the first time in the study area, constituting a new record from the Cantabrian Sea. We provide brief notes about the ecology and distribution of the collected species from the study area. Furthermore, we trace the biogeographical history of the involved species and review their main substrate and bio-depth zone preferences.