| This study defines the composition and biomass characteristics of 5 of 6 previously described faunal assemblages that form a mosaic community on hydrothermal sulfide edifices of the Juan de Fuca Ridge (northeast Pacific). Quantitative samples of each assemblage were acquired during 'ROPOS' Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive programs in 1994 and 1996. Total abundance, and species richness, as well as wet and dry weights, were calculated for each assemblage, and sampled surface area was measured directly or from scaled images of sample scars. These data were used to compare species composition, richness and biomass of the distinct assemblages and to estimate total biomass of a sulfide edifice. In addition to major compositional differences, we observed an... |
