Schizasterfragilis, Ophiura sarsi, Ophiura robusta, Amphiura 

 otteri, Cadulus spp., Dentalium sp., Sternaspis scutata, Am- 

 phitrite sp., Onuphis spp., and Leanira sp. were characteristic 

 of muddy-basin fauna and the deep stations off Martha's 

 Vineyard. 



In the most comprehensive benthic survey of the U.S. Mid- 

 dle Atlantic Shelf, five faunal zones were recognized (Boesch 

 et al. footnote 17). Faunal changes were mainly gradual rather 

 than abrupt. The faunal zones included: Inner shelf (to 30 m), 

 central shelf (38-50 m), outer shelf (50-100 m), shelf break 

 (100-200 m), and continental slope (>200 m). According to 

 Boesch et al. (footnote 17), the inner and central shelf assem- 

 blages were relatively similar, and outer shelf assemblages con- 

 tained both inshore and offshore species overlapping in distri- 

 bution. In contrast, shelf break and continental slope 

 assemblages were more discrete. 



Comparison of the faunal assemblages of the Martha's 

 Vineyard study with Boesch et al. (footnote 17) is difficult for 

 several reasons. The study by Boesch et al. used a 0.5 mm 

 sieve, and their quantitative (cluster analysis) determination of 

 species and site groups emphasized polychaetes and peracarid 

 crustaceans which were missed or deemphasized in earlier 

 studies with coarser sieves. 



Another difficulty lies in the presence of the Mud Patch off 

 Martha's Vineyard. Transects from the east side of the study 

 area (Fig. 2) would be more comparable to transects studied by 

 Boesch et al. (footnote 17). The Mud Patch affords the oppor- 

 tunity for colonization in shallower depths by species normally 

 encountered in mud bottoms at deeper depths further out on 

 the central and outer shelf. Coincidental with this expansion 

 into shallower water is the response of deeper dwelling mud- 

 bottom species to a different temperature regime. Species con- 

 sidered characteristic of a zone normally < 1 1 °C (Fig. 3) and 

 with a smaller seasonal range would be colonizing a site with a 

 wider temperature fluctuation. It might be expected that the 

 Mud Patch would consist of a fauna containing both inner and 

 outer shelf components. 



Based on bathymetry and sediment type, the fauna off Mar- 

 tha's Vineyard could be conveniently arranged into the faunal 

 zones proposed by Boesch et al. (footnote 17). The added 

 complication of the Mud Patch must also be considered. These 

 qualitative comparisons are primarily offered as suggestions 

 for testing rather than as formal community designations. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



This account was supported in part by a contract with the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Pulse Program, and 

 was monitored by John Pearce who provided considerable 

 support and encouragement. 



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