Cephalopods in Mauritanian Waters

Abstract

A total of 16,036 cephalopods belonging to 48 species were caught on the Mauritanian continental shelf and slope, between 80 and 2000 m depth, in November-December of 2007-2010 during the joint Spanish-Mauritanian surveys. Samples were collected using a commercial bottom trawl. Ommastrephidae was the most abundant family (71.1%) in number and weight. Neritic and benthic species of Loliginidae, Octopodidae and Sepiidae represented 7.3, 6.2 and 5.3% of the total number, respectively. A checklist of 132 Mauritanian species is shown. The geographical and bathymetric distribution of species sampled in the area is discussed. Eight species, Mastigoteuthis flammea, Cycloteuthis akimushkini, Muusoctopus fuscus, M. janarii, Bathypolypus arcticus, B. biardii, B. valdiviae and Graneledone verrucosa are recorded for the first time in Mauritanian waters. This is the first time that M. fuscus is cited in Atlantic waters and that B. valdiviae is observed in the northern hemisphere. Two main cephalopods assemblages, Shelf and Slope, were identified in the zone. Both are largely dominated by ommastrephid species which could constitute an important resource not currently exploited in the area. This work provides the first data on benthic octopods species that inhabit the deep waters of Northwest Africa.