Bathymetric distribution and genetic diversity of deep-sea polychaetes

Abstract

Although the marine environment, especially deep-sea bottom, provides a vast habitat for organisms, the diversity of deep-sea invertebrates is still poorly understood. In this article, we introduce a review article of the records of deep-sea polychaetes that have been collected from depths below 2,000 m and recent progress in the survey of deep-sea polychaetes around northern Japan. These topics highlight the potential problem of many deep-sea polychaetes identified as the same species that have been described in shallow zones. Also, we present examples of our publications and preliminary results on the deep-sea polychaetes off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan by molecular phylogenetic assessment.