Global distributional patterns of selected deep-sea Polychaeta (Annelida) from the Southern Ocean

Global distribution of selected polychaetes found in epibenthic sledge samples from the expeditions ANDEEP I–III was studied with regard to family-specific patterns. The families represent different feeding types and reproductive biology: Ampharetidae and Terebellidae are tube builders that feed on the sediment surface with their tentacles, Opheliidae and Scalibregmatidae are burrowers feeding below the surface (subsurface deposit feeders), and Syllidae and Sphaerodoridae are motile and omnivorous. Particularly, the Syllidae are known for their plasticity in reproductive features. Family-specific patterns in global distribution could be clearly seen. Ecological and evolutionary explanations for these differences are explored.