Composition and distribution of pelagic ostracods (Ostracoda: Myodocopa) in the Somov and Ross seas and adjacent waters of the Southern Ocean

• Published in: Russian Journal of Marine Biology
• Main Authors: Chavtur, V.G., Mazdygan, E.R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Cypridinidae; Halocyprididae; Ostracoda; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Ross Sea; New Zealand; Antarc*; Somov Sea
• Online Access: http://www.vliz.be/nl/open-marien-archief?module=ref&refid=211489

The study of materials collected by Russian expeditions and literature data showed that the pelagic ostracod fauna of the Somov Sea, which lies south of the Antarctic Divergence (AD), is an impoverished complex of the fauna of the Australian-New Zealand Antarctic sector. While to the north of the AD the ostracod fauna includes species introduced from waters of the subantarctic and tropical-subtropical structures, ostracods of the Somov Sea are mainly typical Antarctic species. To the north and south of the AD, ostracod abundance and species richness are highest in the depth range of 200-500 m (especially at 300-400 m). Austrinoecia isocheira is the most common species in the Somov Sea and Alacia hettacra in the adjacent northern region. The more southerly Ross Sea has harsher environmental conditions than the Somov Sea and its ostracod fauna is a more impoverished complex of mainly Antarctic species. Alacia belgicae and A. isocheira are the dominant species in the Ross Sea, with their highest abundances at 200-300 m depths. The proportion of A. hettacra in the Ross Sea taxocene decreases southwards. The taxonomical composition and biogeographical structure of ostracod faunas change in the AD region at the northern boundaries of both seas.