Echinodermata (Ophiuroidea and Asteroidea) were collected by the remotely operating vehicle (ROV) Kiel 6000 (Geomar, Kiel, Germany) and ROV HD14 (Ocean Infinity, Texas, USA) in the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone in 2019 and 2021. Total carbon, organic carbon, total nitrogen, δ13TC, δ13org. C, and δ15N content of freeze-dried, pulverized Ophiuroidea and Asteroidea were measured with a elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS). Phospholipid-derived fatty acids (PLFAs) were extracted from the Echinodermata pulver using a Bligh and Dyer extraction. Afterwards, PLFAs were derivatized to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and their concentrations and δ13 isotopic values measured on a gas chromatograph coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS).

• NWO Rubicon grant, Award: 019.182EN.012 NWO Veni grant, Award: VI.Veni.212.211 NWO Open Competition Domain Science – XS, Award: OCENW.XS24.2.193