Environmental influences on zooplankton and micronekton distribution in the Bransfield Strait and adjacent waters

17 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables The spatial distribution, biomass and size structure of key mesozooplankton species and micronekton in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) are described in relation to environmental variables during the austral summer 2001. Stratified (BIONESS) biological sampling at fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Biology
Main Authors: Catalán, Ignacio Alberto, Morales-Nin, Beatriz, Company, Joan B., Rotllant, Guiomar, Palomera, Isabel, Emelianov, Mikhail
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer 2008
Subjects:
Antarctica
Fish larvae and juveniles
Salps
Krill
Distribution
Abundance
Size structure
Hydrography
Density front
Segregation
Austral
Bransfield Strait
Antarc*
Euphausia superba
Polar Biology
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/15502
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0408-1
Description
Summary:17 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables The spatial distribution, biomass and size structure of key mesozooplankton species and micronekton in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) are described in relation to environmental variables during the austral summer 2001. Stratified (BIONESS) biological sampling at five depth-ranges and CTD casts were performed at 40 stations, including a cross-Strait transect. Six families, 11 genera and 16 species composed the total catch of larval and juvenile fish, which were more abundant in the upper 75 m. Trematomus scotti was the most abundant fish and large individuals dominated at depths >75 m. The fish distribution patterns were associated with the main water masses in the area and with bottom depth. Spatial segregation in density and biomass of krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) was observed at a relatively small scale, in relation to the main water masses. Also, size-related spatial segregation was found in krill. The present study suggests that the spatial distribution of krill, salps and early life stages of fish, are influenced by the main water masses in the Strait, and that species may adapt their reproductive strategies not only to seasonal production peaks, but to transport processes within water bodies that maximise their fitness through optimum temperature and/or trophic environments This work was funded by the project REN2000-2987-E/ANT of the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia Peer reviewed

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