Spatial patterns of summer demersal fish assemblages around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Abstract During the research programme conducted on the OV Puerto Deseado in the summers of 2011 and 2013, 36 stations were sampled using a demersal net at depths between 53–590 m in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. A total 3378 fish specimens belonging to 36 species were recorded...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: Llompart, Facundo, Delpiani, Matías, Lattuca, Eugenia, Delpiani, Gabriela, Cruz-Jiménez, Adriana, Orlando, Paula, Ceballos, Santiago, Díaz De Astarloa, Juan Martín, Vanella, Fabián, Fernández, Daniel
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2014
Subjects:
Geology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
Antarctic
The Antarctic
Antarctic Peninsula
South Shetland Islands
Gerlache
Gerlache Strait
Biscoe
George Islands
King George Islands
Antarc*
Antarctic Science
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102014000352
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102014000352
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Summary:Abstract During the research programme conducted on the OV Puerto Deseado in the summers of 2011 and 2013, 36 stations were sampled using a demersal net at depths between 53–590 m in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. A total 3378 fish specimens belonging to 36 species were recorded. Notothenidae was the best-represented family in species number, with Lepidonotothen nudifrons , L. larseni and Trematomus scotti being the most numerous species. Of the fish assemblages, 20% of the species were considered as dominant, 10% as common, 13% as occasional and 57% as rare. Six groups (and two sub-groups) were obtained by the ordination diagram based on geographical location: group 1=Gerlache Strait, group 2=Deception Islands, group 3=Biscoe Island, group 4=between Elephant and King George islands, group 5=northern Antarctic Peninsula, and group 6=South Shetland Islands, with sub-groups 6a shallower South Shetland Islands and 6b deeper South Shetland Islands. Sampling depth and water temperature significantly explained the spatial pattern. A latitudinal pattern of decreasing abundance from north-east to south-west was found in L . larseni and the opposite in T . scotti . The predictability of fish composition in the assemblages’ areas could be a useful tool for ecosystem-based management.

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