Dataset: Epifauna counts from BOWLS moorings deployed and recovered from R/V Oceanus cruises OC1304A and OC1406B off the Coast of Oregon from 2013-2014 (BOWLS project)

Immediately upon recovery of the benthic landers (moorings), experimental substrates and associated mesh bags were transferred to buckets containing chilled, filtered seawater. Following the collection of ecosystem function measurements, epifaunal individuals were:

1) washed from the mesh bag over a 500 μm sieve, split and fixed in each 95% ethanol and 4% formaldehyde
2) picked from the surface of each substrate using forceps and fixed in each 95% ethanol and 4% formaldehyde
3) washed from the bucket over a 500 um sieve, split and fixed in each 95% ethanol and 4% formaldehyde following removal of the substrate.

Epifaunal samples, preserved in both 95% ethanol and 4% formaldehyde were quantitatively sorted in the lab using a stereomicroscope.  The “substrate” is the experimental treatment type; Control, Whale-bone or Wood. Phylum counts are the number of individuals (or heads for incomplete specimens) per three replicate substrates at each mooring. 

PDF image of the mooring deployment sites.