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The new species Gaidropsarus mauritanicus was also observed during eight remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives along the Mauritanian slope southward to the Tiguent Coral Mound Complex in a depth range between 613 and 416 meters.
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus shows a strong coral-associated and shelter-seeking behavior in the deep sea, which might explain why the species has remained undescribed so far
The holotype was collected together with a variety of living deep-sea animals, including corals such as Desmophyllum pertusum, Desmophyllum dianthus, Caryophyllia sp. and Swiftia phaeton, as well as larger sponge colonies, bryozoans, ophiuroids, polychaetes, decapod crustaceans, hydrozoans, gastropods, bivalves and chitons with dead Desmophyllum pertusum framework, coral rubble and olive-colored mud as substrates.
The body of the small burbot is elongated and laterally compressed, head large and moderately compressed with dorso-laterally
positioned large eyes.
Older animals have several pale spots along the base of the dorsal fins, younger animals do not have these spots
The anterior nostrils are tubular, with a whisker just behind each nostril, a third whisker is located at the tip of the lower jaw
Coloration: The fish is pinkish with a darker brownish hue on the back and light spots along the dorsal fin base
The animals preferred to stay on living or dead coral scaffolding or parts of scaffolding (inside, under or next to), or, if no scaffolding was present, next to larger protective structures such as hard-bottom ledges.
If the animals felt threatened (e.g. by the approaching ROV), they tried to hide in or under protective structures. The observed swimming took place at a fast pace at low altitude above the ground and along protective structures.
Etymology:
The species name “mauritanicus” is derived from the Latin name of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which is known for its biodiverse marine ecosystems, including the most extensive known “chain-like” deep-water habitat-forming coral ecosystem with which this species is associated.
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus was observed three times during the ROV dive in this canyon
Tanoûdêrt Canyon was the northernmost canyon surveyed during the MSM 16/3 cruise.
The species was also observed during dives in the Timiris canyon system, particularly in the Nouamghar (one individual) and Inchiri canyons (two individuals).
Further south, individuals were documented during ROV dives investigating various coral mounds along the “coral mound chain”, namely Timiris (six individuals), Banda (one individual), Tamxat (five individuals) and Tiguent Coral Mounds (four individuals.
Literature referencee
Wiley Online Library
Alexander H. Knorrn, Lydia Beuck, David Barros-García, Lourdes Fernández-Peralta, André Freiwald
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus (Gadiformes, Gaidropsaridae) a new three-bearded rockling from a deep-water coral ecosystem with a genetically verified biogeographical distribution of the genus and notes to its ecology and behavior.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.1585
CC BY 4.0 / Open access
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus shows a strong coral-associated and shelter-seeking behavior in the deep sea, which might explain why the species has remained undescribed so far
The holotype was collected together with a variety of living deep-sea animals, including corals such as Desmophyllum pertusum, Desmophyllum dianthus, Caryophyllia sp. and Swiftia phaeton, as well as larger sponge colonies, bryozoans, ophiuroids, polychaetes, decapod crustaceans, hydrozoans, gastropods, bivalves and chitons with dead Desmophyllum pertusum framework, coral rubble and olive-colored mud as substrates.
The body of the small burbot is elongated and laterally compressed, head large and moderately compressed with dorso-laterally
positioned large eyes.
Older animals have several pale spots along the base of the dorsal fins, younger animals do not have these spots
The anterior nostrils are tubular, with a whisker just behind each nostril, a third whisker is located at the tip of the lower jaw
Coloration: The fish is pinkish with a darker brownish hue on the back and light spots along the dorsal fin base
The animals preferred to stay on living or dead coral scaffolding or parts of scaffolding (inside, under or next to), or, if no scaffolding was present, next to larger protective structures such as hard-bottom ledges.
If the animals felt threatened (e.g. by the approaching ROV), they tried to hide in or under protective structures. The observed swimming took place at a fast pace at low altitude above the ground and along protective structures.
Etymology:
The species name “mauritanicus” is derived from the Latin name of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which is known for its biodiverse marine ecosystems, including the most extensive known “chain-like” deep-water habitat-forming coral ecosystem with which this species is associated.
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus was observed three times during the ROV dive in this canyon
Tanoûdêrt Canyon was the northernmost canyon surveyed during the MSM 16/3 cruise.
The species was also observed during dives in the Timiris canyon system, particularly in the Nouamghar (one individual) and Inchiri canyons (two individuals).
Further south, individuals were documented during ROV dives investigating various coral mounds along the “coral mound chain”, namely Timiris (six individuals), Banda (one individual), Tamxat (five individuals) and Tiguent Coral Mounds (four individuals.
Literature referencee
Wiley Online Library
Alexander H. Knorrn, Lydia Beuck, David Barros-García, Lourdes Fernández-Peralta, André Freiwald
Gaidropsarus mauritanicus (Gadiformes, Gaidropsaridae) a new three-bearded rockling from a deep-water coral ecosystem with a genetically verified biogeographical distribution of the genus and notes to its ecology and behavior.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.1585
CC BY 4.0 / Open access
