Abstract:

This dataset was generated during research cruises to sample deep sea communities – especially elasmobranchs, large teleosts, and benthic scavengers – of the northern and eastern Gulf of Mexico in April 2011, August 2011, and March/April 2012. Using longline surveys and traps, we collected more than 1200 fish and 700 invertebrates. Select shark species were sampled for stomach contents and all fish species and select invertebrates were sampled for stable isotope (C, N) values. Related datasets provide information on toxicology/oil exposure and genetics of the individuals represented in these databases.

Suggested Citation:

Heithaus, Michael, Dean Grubbs, and Diana Churchill. 2015. Community composition and trophic interactions of deep sea elasmobranchs, teleosts, and scavengers from the Gulf of Mexico 2011-2012. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N75B00CB

Publications:

Churchill, D. A., Heithaus, M. R., & Dean Grubbs, R. (2015). Effects of lipid and urea extraction on δ15N values of deep-sea sharks and hagfish: Can mathematical correction factors be generated? Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 115, 103–108. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.12.013

Churchill, D. A., Heithaus, M. R., Vaudo, J. J., Grubbs, R. D., Gastrich, K., & Castro, J. I. (2015). Trophic interactions of common elasmobranchs in deep-sea communities of the Gulf of Mexico revealed through stable isotope and stomach content analysis. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 115, 92–102. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.10.011

Purpose:

The deep sea ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico are poorly known, especially the populations and communities of top predators, like sharks. These species and ecosystems, however, could have been impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Our primary goals were to 1) document, as much as possible, baseline conditions of the ecosystem using indicator species (sharks, teleosts and benthic scavengers), and 2) assess the impacts of the spill on physiology of indicator species, abundance of deep sea sharks and scavengers, population and community structure, and trophic interactions.

Data Parameters and Units:

Lat/Lon: Degrees.decimal degrees; Isotope values in standard delta values

Methods:

Sharks, teleosts and benthic scavengers were captured on bottom and mid-water longlines deployed during research cruises in April 2011, August 2011, and March/April 2012. Historical data from April 2005 were also analyzed. Samples were processed immediately upon collection. Stomach contents, when present, were removed and immediately frozen. Muscle, fin, and blood samples (when possible to collect) were labeled and frozen immediately. Isotopic analyses were conducted at Florida International University and all elasmobranch samples were lipid-extracted (LE columns). Subsamples of all invertebrate species were acidified (-A colums)to determine if such treatment was necessary (defined as shifts in delta C values > 0.3 ppt).

Error Analysis:

Errors in isotope data were calculated using analysis of known standards and replicate analysis of every 10th sample.

Individual Files: