Assemblages of certain benthic molluscs along the southwestern Atlantic: from subtidal to deep sea

PASTORINO GUIDO; TESO VALERIA; URTEAGA, DIEGO

BMC Ecology

Springer

Año: 2019 vol. 19 p. 1 - 7

1472-6785

Background: We analyse the distribution of Gastropods and Chitons from shallow to deep waters along the south- western Atlantic Ocean off Argentina and discuss possible factors determining the observed biogeographic patterns. Results: Three major biogeographic groups are defined on the basis of Gastropod and Chiton species associations, i.e., continental shelf (< 350 m), upper continental slope (> 350?2000 m) and lower continental slope (2000?3000 m). Bathymetry appears as the main factor modifying large-scale distribution of the fauna at a. In this scenario, species associations are determined by marine currents that clearly occur at a particular and well defined depth. No arrange- ment of species by geographic location was found in assemblages from the continental shelf and upper continental slope. Conclusions: We hypothesize that depth and marine currents are the main factor affecting the distribution of Gas- tropods and Chitons along the SW Atlantic between 200 and 3200 m depth.Keywords: Biogeography, MPA Namuncurá/Burdwood Bank, Continental shelf, Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon