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Escobar, Elva G.1, L.A. Soto 2
1.Laboratorio de Ecología del Bentos; ICMyL UNAM; A.P. 70-305; 04510 México, D.F.; escobri@mar.icmyl.unam.mx)
2.Laboratorio de Ecología del Bentos; ICMyL UNAM; A.P. 70-305; 04510 México, D.F.; lasg@mar.icmyl.unam.mx) & L.A. Cifuentes (Department of Oceanography; Texas A & M University; College Station, 77843; cifuentes@ocean.tamu.edu)
The complex hydrothermal vent system recorded in the Guaymas Basin has been recognized by its sedimentary conditions. Complexity can be expected in the food sources supporting the assemblage of megabenthic crustacea occurying in the different habitats. Expected sources being among others organic carbon of pelagic origin (POC) or vent related based on hydrocarbon, methane or sulfur, or directly linked to the chemosynthetic paths of simbiotic associations in the vents. Carbon and Nitrogen elemental and stable isotopic analyses carried out in sediment samples and tissue of megabenthic components allow to recognize three types of faunal assemblages. A vent assemblage of organisms hosting symbionts characterized by metabolic requirements based on sulfur chemosynthesis, (d15N -0.7 to 4.9; d13C -16 to -12.7). A second assemblage of Crustacea commonly recorded at the vents that have a diet dominated by a photoautotrophic signature (d15N 10 to 18; d13C -12 to -26). A third assemblage composed by diverse polychaete species that have a mixed diet and may be the most important carbon source to abyssal dwellers visiting the vent system. The complexity of the carbon sources in the vent system and the proportions of POC of pelagic vs vent origin should be considered when interpreting these values as mixing equations can depict.
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