La structure des assemblages mégabenthiques d'une province à nodules polymétalliques de l'océan Pacifique tropical est

The structure of megabenthic assemblages of an abyssal polymetallic nodule province located in the tropical East Pacific ocean, between the Clarion and Clipperton fracture zones, is investigated at different levels. On a qualitative level, the identification, the ethology, the taxonomic richness and the faunal composition c1assified by functional groups are described over the totality of the area thus creating a work of reference and an annotated photographic atlas with the contribution of worldwide specialists for each phylum. On basis of a collection of more than 200 000 photographs and 55 hours of videos of the seafloor, a taxonomic richness of 240 taxons with 46 different echinoderms is recorded. Cnidaria is the most diversified phylum on the Clarion-Clipperton area with 59 different taxons. The trophic group of suspension feeders is the most represented. (...) NOT CONTROLLED OCR