
doi: 10.3354/meps14919
Seamounts are underwater elevations that harbour relatively isolated ecosystems shaped by environmental forces such as flow intensification and complex hydrodynamics, favouring communities of benthic suspension feeders like anthozoans. In this study, we describe the taxonomical composition, density and spatial and bathymetric distribution of anthozoans by analysing video transects recorded on 2 seamounts east of the Weddell Sea (Southern Ocean), specifically Astrid Ridge and Maud Rise. Additionally, anthozoan assemblages and their relationship with different study areas, substrate types and the coexisting fauna were analysed. The findings reveal marked differences between the 2 seamounts. Maud Rise exhibits predominantly hard substrate, hosting a high density of anthozoans, particularly octocorals, co-occurring with other abundant benthic suspension feeders, mostly ascidians. In contrast, Astrid Ridge features soft substrate, with hexacorals and sea pens as the most abundant anthozoans coexisting with motile and detritivorous species. Anthozoan distribution in both areas displays a patchy pattern, exhibiting greater small-scale diversity on Maud Rise and larger-scale diversity on Astrid Ridge. Furthermore, comparisons with prior studies in the Weddell Sea Plain spotlight Actiniaria as the most taxonomically diverse group in both seamounts and plain, with Hexacorallia notably more abundant in the plain than in the seamounts. Therefore, despite their spatial proximity, the anthozoan communities we found on both seamounts differ from those observed on the surrounding plain. Far from conclusively capturing the full complexity of anthozoan spatial dynamics, our results show the significant influence of substrate and hydrodynamics. The present study highlights the importance of a good understanding of distribution patterns for effective conservation management.
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