10.3389/fmars.2019.00307.s004 Paris V. Stefanoudis Paris V. Stefanoudis Erika Gress Erika Gress Joanna M. Pitt Joanna M. Pitt Struan Robertson Smith Struan Robertson Smith Todd Kincaid Todd Kincaid Molly Rivers Molly Rivers Dominic A. Andradi-Brown Dominic A. Andradi-Brown Gwilym Rowlands Gwilym Rowlands Lucy C. Woodall Lucy C. Woodall Alex D. Rogers Alex D. Rogers Image_1_Depth-Dependent Structuring of Reef Fish Assemblages From the Shallows to the Rariphotic Zone.jpg Frontiers 2019 mesophotic coral ecosystem fish assemblage structure reef connectivity deep reef refuge hypothesis Bermuda 2019-06-07 12:11:38 Figure https://frontiersin.figshare.com/articles/figure/Image_1_Depth-Dependent_Structuring_of_Reef_Fish_Assemblages_From_the_Shallows_to_the_Rariphotic_Zone_jpg/8242262 <p>Shallow coral reef ecosystems worldwide are affected by local and global anthropogenic stressors. Exploring fish assemblages on deeper reefs is therefore important to examine their connectivity, and to help understand the biodiversity, ecology, distinctiveness, evolutionary history and threats in this sparsely studied environment. Conducting visual surveys on the Bermuda slope and a nearby seamount at depths from 15 to 300 m, we document decreasing fish biomass and diversity with increasing depth. Fish assemblages were primarily depth-stratified, with distinct suites of species inhabiting shallow (<30 m depth) and upper (60 m) and lower (90 m) mesophotic coral ecosystems, and confirming the presence of a distinct rariphotic (∼150–300 m) assemblage. We also report evidence of anthropogenic pressures throughout our surveyed depths. Our results highlight the novelty of deeper reef fish faunas, therefore suggesting limited applicability of the deep reef refuge hypothesis, and showcase the vulnerability of deep reefs to targeted fishing pressure and invasive species.</p>