Seamounts are common topographic features in the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR) including the Azores. However, the knowledge on the ecology of seamounts in this region remains scarce despite needs for assessment and management of seamount resources such as the developing fisheries for deep‐water crabs. We described here for the first time the biological characteristics of an unexploited virgin deep‐water red crab Chaceon affinis population on seamount areas of the MAR to test the hypothesis that its general life history characteristics are similar in different ecosystem types (coastal areas and seamounts) across Macaronesia. We used a randomly stratified design to prospect a layer between 600 and 900 m depth around the summit of two isolated seamounts off the Azores. Results were consistent with the literature information in relation to the patterns of depth distribution, size and sex structure, and reproductive aspects. On the other hand, seamounts showed higher abundances when compared to previously studied coastal areas. Abundance may be also different between seamount areas as a function of the suitable bottom type available and presence of hydrothermal vents. We recommend that the essential habitat of the species should be better mapped identifying vulnerable areas before the development of any fishery.

中文翻译：

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居住在亚速尔群岛（中大西洋海脊）以西孤立海山的深水红蟹种群的生物学和生态方面

海山是包括亚速尔群岛在内的大西洋中脊（MAR）的常见地形特征。但是，尽管需要评估和管理海山资源，例如发展深水蟹的渔业，但对该地区海山生态学的知识仍然匮乏。我们在这里首次描述了未经开发的原始深水红蟹Chaceon affinis的生物学特性MAR的海山地区的人口数量，以检验以下假设：马其顿地区不同生态系统类型（沿海地区和海山）的一般生活史特征相似。我们使用了随机分层的设计，在亚速尔群岛附近两个孤立海山的山顶周围发现了600至900 m的深度。结果与有关深度分布，大小和性别结构以及生殖方面的文献资料一致。另一方面，与先前研究的沿海地区相比，海山的丰度更高。海底面积之间的丰度也可能因可用的合适底部类型和热液喷口的存在而不同。