The Azores ecoregion foodweb is characterized by strong links between the deep-sea and the pelagic environment. Toothed whales are the top predators in the ecosystem. Other predators include the deep-water sharks, large-size pelagic fish, large-size bathydemersal fish, large-sized demersal fish, pelagic sharks, rays and other sharks, seabirds, and tunas. The remaining fish groups are the small-sized pelagic fish, bathypelagic fish, and cephalopods. Benthic filter feeders and shrimps are at the lower trophic groups. Pelagic sharks, toothed whales, and cephalopods were identified as potential keystone species, highlighting their importance in the ecosystem structure.
