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Published July 6, 2020 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Observations of deep-sea sharks and associated species at a large food fall on the continental margin off South Carolina, USA (NW Atlantic)

  • 1. Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, Connecticut 06355, USA & University of Connecticut, Department of Marine Sciences, Groton, Connecticut 06340, USA
  • 2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA
  • 3. Florida State University, Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida 32358, USA
  • 4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA &Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, Arlington, Virginia 22202, USA

Description

Observations of deep-sea dogfishes (family Squalidae) were made opportunistically via a remotely operated vehicle at a large food fall, a recently dead Atlantic Swordfish, Xiphius gladius, on a topographic rise at 453 m depth off South Carolina, USA (NW Atlantic). Genie’s Dogfish, Squalus clarkae (formerly S. mitsukurii), and Roughskin Dogfish, Cirrhigaleus asper, were the principal scavengers. Additional scavengers included crabs (Callinectidae) and a cutthroat eel (Synaphobranchus sp.). At least two Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus, were attracted to the carcass, and one was observed to prey directly upon a small dogfish. The aggregation of highly vagile scavengers to food falls, sources of organic carbon transfer to the deep sea, is generally assumed to be based on odor plumes, but acoustic cues from large and active scavengers can also account for rapid attraction of other scavengers and predators.

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