Spatial patterns of demersal fish assemblages during the austral summer in Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, West Antarctic.

F. LLOMPART; M. DELPIANI; M.E. LATTUCA; G. DELPIANI; A. CRUZ-JIMÉNEZ; S.G. CEBALLOS; J.M. DIAS DE ASTARLOA; F.A. VANELLA; D.A. FERNÁNDEZ

ANTARCTIC SCIENCE

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2014 p. 1 - 9

0954-1020

During the research programme carried out by the O/V Puerto Deseado in theaustral summers of 2011 and 2013, 36 stations were sampled using a demersal net atdepths between 52.8?590 m in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Atotal 3378 fish specimens belonging to 36 species were recorded. Notothenidae was thebest-represented family in species number, with Lepidonotothen nudifrons,Lepidonotothen larseni and Trematomus scotti being the most numerous species. Of thefish assemblages 20% of the species were considered as dominant, 10% as common,13% as occasional and 57% as rare. The six groupings (and two sub-groups) obtainedby the ordination diagram were based on geographical location and were called: 1)Gerlache Strait, 2) Deception Islands, 3) Biscoe Island, 4) Between Elephant and KingGeorge Islands, 5) Northern Antarctic Peninsula, 6) South Shetland Islands, 6a)shallower South Shetland Islands and 6b) deeper South Shetland Islands. The depth ofsampling and water temperature significantly explained the spatial pattern. It was founda latitudinal pattern of decreasing abundance from northeast to southwest in L. larseniand the opposite in T. scotti. Given the predictability of fish composition in theassemblages? areas it could be a useful tool for ecosystem-based management.