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

• 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

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