How functionally diverse are fish in the deep? A comparison of fish communities in deep and shallow‐water systems

Abstract Aim Functional diversity metrics inform how species’ traits relate to ecosystem functions, useful for quantifying exploitation and disturbance impact ecosystems. We compare the functional of entire fish communities in a shallow‐water region with deep‐sea further insight into differences between these types. Location The regions compared this study were selected represent coastal region, Tasman Golden Bays (TBGB), Chatham Rise (CR), New Zealand. Methods was assessed using four metrics: richness, evenness, divergence dispersion. across key functions: habitat use, feeding, locomotion life history. Results Our results showed that overall, ecosystems had equal diversity. When focusing on ecological two exhibited most analyses. Of significantly different results, higher richness use traits, lower dispersion feeding evenness Main conclusions Differences functions highlight utilization by fish, while suggests tend towards generalist diets, likely driven low food availability. Deep‐sea displayed an increased range locomotive our analyses, but conflicts existing evidence warrants study. Life‐history suggest exhibit clustering indicating potential under‐utilization life‐history strategies deep‐sea. demonstrate although have similar levels communities, structure differ, therefore, systems may respond differently.