to the New Jersey shelf) shows a range of patterns (Fig. 13.22) in every taxonomic
group from generalists found everywhere, including some extending far down the
slope, to species localized in particular depth zones, in spots washed by specific
currents, in topographic features like canyons and in particular sediment types: glacial
gravel, sand, and mud. By and large, shelf and slope species have moderately
restricted latitudinal ranges, and communities vary at species level between the sides
of ocean basins. A global review was prepared based partly on extensive Russian data
by Zezina (1997).
Fig. 13.22 Examples of distinctive distribution patterns of benthic macrofauna on the
New England shelf, including Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine, demonstrated by
a dense pattern of Smith–McIntyre grab samples across the region.
(^) (Selected from a larger set of maps in Theroux & Wigley 1998.)