New records on the ichthyofauna of the Gorringe seamount (Northeastern Atlantic)

Abstract

The Gorringe seamount is located in the convergence of the Eurasian and African plates, more than 100 nautical miles from the closest shore and isolated by depths over 3000 m. Underwater surveys were carried out at Gettysburg and Ormonde peaks to identify the ichthyofauna present at Gorringe. Ten species are first records for this seamount with special emphasis on two species of Blenniidae: Parablennius pilicornis and Parablennius ruber. Most species observed are widely distributed: 48% Atlantic–Mediterranean, 24% Eastern Atlantic, 12% Amphi-Atlantic, 12% Cosmopolitan. Only one species is endemic of the Macaronesia region (Abudefduf luridus). The most common species were A. luridus, Coris julis and Thalassoma pavo. This paper presents additional and relevant information on the ichhtyofauna of the Gorringe seamount.

Keywords:

• Gorringe
• ichthyofauna
• North Eastern Atlantic
• seamounts
• underwater surveys

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to G. Calado, N. Álvaro, J. Xavier, J. P. Borges, D. Gonçalves and E. Pereira. The authors would also like to thank the support of the Portuguese Navy and the enthusiasm shown by the entire NTM ‘Creoula’ crew and to Prof. Pinto de Abreu for the invitation to participate in the ‘LusoExpedição 2006’, a scientific expedition lead by Universidade Lusófona. D. Abecasis acknowledges financial support through a Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia grant (SFRH/BGCT/15382/2005).

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark