Summary
In areas where hagfish are found, they are ecologically important for the following reasons:
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1.
Hagfish may be one of the most abundant groups of demersal fishes in many areas, in terms of numbers and/or biomass.
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2.
Where present at high densities, hagfish burrowing and feeding activities have a significant impact on substrate turnover.
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3.
Hagfish are significant as predators on benthic invertebrates and, in some cases, mesopelagic invertebrates and vertebrates.
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4.
Hagfish represent one of the most important mechanisms for the rapid cleanup and processing of carrion-falls. In areas subject to intensive commercial fisheries, hagfish probably play a key role in the removal and recycling of discarded by-catch.
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5.
Hagfish adults, juveniles, and eggs can represent a significant prey item for marine mammals and large predatory invertebrates.
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Martini, F.H. (1998). The Ecology of Hagfishes. In: The Biology of Hagfishes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5834-3_5
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