Connectivity across the Atlantic Mysterious patterns of connectivity, the importance of the unknown

Observation Common taxa on both sides of (and in the middle for some) the Atlantic Common genera, species across that Atlantic on Cold Water Corals, but also Chemosynthetic ecosystems are those really shared species in ecosystems so scattered and fragmented across the Atlantic? Bivalves and shrimp from cold seeps and vents Madrepora oculata Lophelia pertusa Two main reef builders

Transatlantic contemporary or past connectivity? Common genera, species, but also common genetic polymorphism present day connectivity? Strong implications for management and conservation: do we protect same of different taxa (what are management units), are there crucial population for the system dynamics? Teixeira et al., 2013, Molecular Ecology

Hypothesis: Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: a conveyer belt? Are there stepping stones in the deep and unknown abysses of the Atlantic?