An association between a cusk eel (Bassozetus sp.) and a black coral (Schizopathes sp.) in the deep western Indian Ocean

Authors

Andrew R. Gates, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European WayFollow
Kirsty J. Morris, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way
Daniel O. Jones, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way
Kenneth J. Sulak, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

6-28-2016

Citation

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016

Comments

U.S. Government Work.

Abstract

Detailed observations in the deep sea can reveal previously unknown behaviour, species interactions and fine-scale habitat heterogeneity. Here, the first in situ images of the black coral Schizopathes sp. (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) in the deep western Indian Ocean have been obtained from remotely operated vehicle video footage and time-lapse photography. In these images, there appears to be an association with the cusk eel Bassozetus (Family: Ophidiidae). In the primary observation, chance encounters revealed the fish interacted with the anitpatharian on multiple occasions over several days. Subsequent time-lapse camera footage showed the fish remained almost exclusively underneath the antipatharian for the duration of a 30-h deployment. Excursions from the cover of the antipatharian were for less than 2 min. The primary observation is supported by two similar encounters in the same region. Observed reduction in the tail-beat frequency of the fish under the antipatharian suggests reduced energy requirements for the ophidiid in this position. The observations demonstrate the role that even individual coral colonies play as a source of three-dimensional structure, providing habitat heterogeneity in the deep sea.