Abundance of benthic peracarids sampled in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean and Weddell Sea during expeditions JR15005, JR275, JR17003a, PS118

Peracarid abundance and composition were studied in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean and the Weddell Sea at a depth range of 403-2021 m. Samples were collected using an epibenthic sledge (EBS) during expeditions on board the RRS James Clarke Ross in the Filchner Trough (JR275), the South Orkney Islands (JR15005), the Prince Gustav Channel (JR17003a) and on board the RV Polarstern in the Eastern Antarctic Peninsula (PS118). Expeditions took place in February-March 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Since the trawling distance between stations was not always the same, in order to make data comparable between different stations, numbers of individuals were standardized to 1000 m haul distances. In total 64766 peracarids were found and sorted into five different orders (Amphipoda, Cumacea, Isopoda, Mysidacea and Tanaidacea). Amphipods were the most abundant group representing the 32% of the total abundances. The Filchner Trough had the highest abundance of peracarids, while the South Orkney Islands showed the lowest abundance compared to other areas.