Species Family Mechanism driving ontogenetic shift Relationships Description
L. crocodilus
Myctophidae
Trophic & and habitat-driven ontogenetic shifts
Species showing ontogenetic shifts in both their vertical distribution (largest individuals at greater depth) and their trophic ecology (increase of δ15N values with the size of the individuals).
M. atlanticum Zoarcidae
M. punctatum Myctophidae Trophic-driven ontogenetic shift Species showing only an ontogenetic shift in their trophic ecology (influence of individual size on δ15N values, but no effect of depth whenever it could be tested).
A. risso Paralepididae
S. beanii Serrivomeridae
S. boa* Stomiidae
A. carbo* Trichiuridae
A. olfersii Sternoptychidae Depth-driven increase in δ15N values Species showing an increase of their δ15N values with depth (but no effect of size). X. copei also showed an ontogenetic shift in the vertical distribution of individuals (the smallest individuals were not found in the deepest stations).
X. copei Alepocephalidae
N. kroyeri Myctophidae No ontogenetic shift Species with no observed ontogenetic shifts (no effect of depth on δ15N values). Moreover, N. kroyeri and L. macdonaldi had a low CV of their δ15N values (CV <3) while S. koefoedi had a wider dispersion of δ15N values (CV = 4.81).
L. macdonaldi Myctophidae
S. koefoedi Platytroctidae
Community - Trophic & and habitat-driven ontogenetic shifts The whole community showed an increase in individual sizes with depth. A weak but significant relationship was also found between δ15N values and individual size.