Abstract:

This dataset reports species caught using longline traps during the R/V Weatherbird II cruise in the Northern Gulf of Mexico shelf and DeSoto Canyon from October 8-17, 2012. Species data includes species name, sex, weight, length, and maturity state, if available. We also report if samples were collected from individuals for other analysis, though the results of those analyses are not reported here. Additional files in the dataset report bait used, gear, effort, and sea state, pressure and temperature data collected during longline trapping activities. The overall objectives of this research include using large chevron traps and demersal longlines to describe and examine differences in the species assemblages and relative abundances of demersal fishes associated with the eastern and western walls of DeSoto Canyon and the adjacent continental slope (75-2000 m deep) and collecting specimens and samples (including curation of new species) to aid in resolving phylogenetic uncertainties and understanding life history traits and community ecology of collected taxa. These data will also be used in an effort to evaluate the biological diversity and trophic interactions among organisms ranging from primary producers to apex predators and from the deep-sea benthos to the coast. These data contribute to a food web model used to determine risks to ecosystem structure and function and regional economies following from extreme anthropogenic events (e.g., discharged and background hydrocarbon) and adaptive management strategies.

Suggested Citation:

Grubbs, Dean. 2015. Longline trap data collected during R/V Weatherbird II cruise, Northern Gulf of Mexico shelf and DeSoto Canyon, October 8-17, 2012, WB-1307. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7NZ85NK

Publications:

Veríssimo, A., Cotton, C. F., Buch, R. H., Guallart, J., & Burgess, G. H. (2014). Species diversity of the deep-water gulper sharks (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae: Centrophorus ) in North Atlantic waters - current status and taxonomic issues . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 172(4), 803–830. doi:10.1111/zoj.12194

Cotton, C. F., Dean Grubbs, R., Dyb, J. E., Fossen, I., & Musick, J. A. (2015). Reproduction and embryonic development in two species of squaliform sharks, Centrophorus granulosus and Etmopterus princeps: Evidence of matrotrophy? Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 115, 41–54. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.10.009

Giresi, M. M., Grubbs, R. D., Portnoy, D. S., Driggers III, W. B., Jones, L., & Gold, J. R. (2015). Identification and Distribution of Morphologically Conserved Smoothhound Sharks in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 144(6), 1301–1310. doi:10.1080/00028487.2015.1069212

Purpose:

To evaluate the biological diversity and trophic interactions among organisms ranging from primary producers to apex predators and from the deep-sea benthos to the coast. These data contribute to a food web model used to determine risks to ecosystem structure and function and regional economies following from extreme anthropogenic events (e.g., discharged and background hydrocarbon) and adaptive management strategies.

Data Parameters and Units:

File WB-1307 Metadata_Fisheries Research 2: vessel name; event_id, event date (DD-MMM-YY); set (set code); Deep-C station (Deep-C station code); latitude_start (decimal degrees); longitude_start (decimal degrees); latitude_finish (decimal degrees); longitude_finish (decimal degrees); TDR (Serial number for Lotek temperature/depth recorder deployed on line); DO meter = whether or not a DO meter (dissolved oxygen meter) was deployed (true or false=yes or no); DO (dissolved oxygen) value (ug/l); DO (dissolved oxygen) value (%); Temp = temperature (degrees Celsius); Depth_min = minimum depth according to ship; later verified with TDR (meters); Depth_max = maximum water depth (meters) according to ship; later verified with TDR; Actual depth (m) = actual longline depth (meters); Time_in = (hhmm); Time_set (hhmm); Time_haul (hhmm); Time_out (hhmm); Gear_Effort (longline) = sizes and numbers of hooks used per longline set; Gear_Effort (trap) = num ber and size of traps used per set; Bait = bait type used; SeaState (feet) = estimated wave height; Wind speed (knots) = estimated wind speed; Set comments = additional notes/measurements pertaining to each set; Sediment sample = whether or not a sediment was collected at the site of the set (true or false=yes or no). File WB-1307 sample data: event date (DD-MMM-YY); event_id (event identification code); Set (set code); Deep-C station = Deep-C station code, ID_Data_sample = specimen code (used to relate each sample back to a unique specimen identification code); ID_species = species name; sex (male/female); BW Weight (kg) = body weight; liver weight (g) = wet weight of liver; SL (cm) = teleost standard length or shark pre-caudal length; DW (cm) = batoid disk width; CW (cm) = crustaceans carapace width, CL (cm) = crustacean carapace length; FL (cm) = teleosts/sharks fork length or batoids disk length; TL (cm) = teleosts/batoids total length or sharks stretched total length: Mature (Y/N) = yes or no if mature; Maturity State (MAT/JUV/NEO/PUP/YOY) = mature (MAT), juvenile (JUV), neonate (NEO), pup (PUP), young of year (YOY); Hook/Trap Size, columns W through AH indicate if samples were taken for analysis; Tag # = external tag identification number; Hook/Trap Size = type of trap or hook size each specimen was collected with; Condition (Condition if released) = E=excellent: struggle during work-up, strong directional swimming upon release, G=good: little struggle, strong swimming upon release, mild disorientation possible, F=fair: relatively weak and disoriented swimming upon release, P=poor: some movement indicating life (e.g. nictitating membranes, gills) but very weak to no active swimming upon release, DOA=dead: no movements or life signs; SI = Biopsy for stable isotope analyses (# of samples); GN = Genetics samples (# of samples); RP = Reproductive tract (Y if collected); WM = White muscle for purposes other than stable isotopes – e.g. mercury analyses (# of samples); BD = Blood (# of vials); BI = Bile (Y if collected); ST = Stomach (Y if collected); RG=rectal gland; AG = Aging structure (S=spines, R=rays, O=otoliths, V=vertebrae); Gill-gill sample collected (Y/N); Heart sample collected (Y/N); Other = Any additional tissues collected (e.g. radiocarbon); SP = Specimen; whole specimen retained after sampling (Y/N); Vou = Voucher; specimen is a voucher retained for museum curation (Y/N); Specimen Comments = any additional specimen comment; CO=clasper outside (measurement, mm); CI=clasper inside (measurement, mm); G=gill; H=heart; OG=oviducal gland; MOD=maximum ovum diameter; UW-uterine width (mm); FB=football ova; YFS=yellow flaccid sacs; SRB=small round bodies; VDPC=vas deferens partially coiled; LAB=lost at boat; VDMC=vas deferens mostly coiled. Files 1123-1144 and 1154-1183– each file reports data from a TDR (temperature depth recorder) that was deployed with an individual set: Rec# (record #), Date (MM/DD/YYYY), Time (HH:MM:SS), Pressure (dBars), IntTemp [C] =temperature (degrees Celsius). Files are named using Deep-C set numbers and site; associated data (e.g., latitude/longitude) for each set number can be found in “WB-1307 sample data” and “WB-1307 Metadata_Fisheries Research 2”.

Individual Files: