European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

The hyperbenthos was sampled each hour with a sledge, during a period of 26 hours. The sample station (UG3) was located on the southern slope of 'de vlakte van de Raan', between Zeebrugge and the mouth of the Wester Scheldt. This research is a descriptive study of the species composition, density, biomass and diversity of the hyperbenthos. 39 hyperbenthos species were collected which were separated in 10 higher taxa. As regards density, Mysidacea dominate clearly the hyperbenthal, other important taxa are Amphipoda, Decapoda and Pisces. As regards biomass, Mysidacea and Pisces are the most important taxa. The most important species at density level was Schistomysis kervillei (59% of the total density). Less abundant, but still important, were Gammarus crinicornis (14%), Crangon crangon postlarvae (12%), Pomatoschistus species postlarvae (5%) and Schistomysis spiritus (3%).