A series of hadal surveys using the ROV "Kaiko" was conducted by Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) to clarify distributional chartacteristics of megabenthos at the Challenger Deep (approx. 10,900m deep) located southwestern edge of the Mariana Trench.
During the survey, over 130 specimens of amphipods, Hirondellea gigas, were collected by baited traps. The total length of the largest specimen was over 45mm. It was first collected in the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench in a plankton tow deeper than 6,000m and then in the Philippine Trench and the Mariana Trench between depths of 7,350m and 10,590m.
This is the deepest record to capture the amphipod which is known as endemic scavenger in some trenches. JAMSTEC has a plan to collect amphipods from the Japan Trench and other trenches, and to study phylogenic relationships applying molecular biological techniques.
During the survey, over 130 specimens of amphipods, Hirondellea gigas, were collected by baited traps. The total length of the largest specimen was over 45mm. It was first collected in the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench in a plankton tow deeper than 6,000m and then in the Philippine Trench and the Mariana Trench between depths of 7,350m and 10,590m.
This is the deepest record to capture the amphipod which is known as endemic scavenger in some trenches. JAMSTEC has a plan to collect amphipods from the Japan Trench and other trenches, and to study phylogenic relationships applying molecular biological techniques.
news source of www.mext.go.jp
