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hypothesis that the Mesozoic and early Cenozoic periods were the principal times for
the invasion of the deep sea, because during these periods, the water column was
warm and isothermal as is the modern Mediterranean (Tyler, 2003). In a global
context temperature is an environmental variable which has been experiencing
important changes in the last decades and importantly the atmospheric warming also
has a similar effect on the ocean, subsequently the processes and interactions observed
currently in the oceanic communities could experienced important effects on the
patterns currently observed.
A comprehensive knowledge of the ecology of the deep-sea fauna is essential
in order to evaluate the level of variability caused in the environment and the possible
effects on life-history of the species, more specifically how this disturbance affects the
reproductive processes, such as production of gametes and/or larval development,
since this are key stages in the life-history of an organism.
Appropriate deep-sea research must be conducted, targeted so as to estimate
potential impacts of human activity in order to arrive at the right decisions for an
adequate management of resources and conservation of species. In this context studies
and experiments on reproduction and larval biology of deep sea organisms are crucial
for a better knowledge of the processes driving the communities in the deep ocean.
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