Study of the Deep Water Benthos of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

The purpose of this study is to provide some insight into the nature of the bottom fauna of the deep water of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Deep water, in this case, is considered to be from 100 fathoms to a maximum depth of over 2000 fathoms. The samples considered in this study were collected during three cruises of the R/V Alaminos at depths within the above range. The positions and depths of the sampling stations of these cruises are listed in Table I. The lack of published material on the benthos from these depths in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico is evidenced in the following review.