Potential zooplankton preys (Copepoda and Appendicularia) for 1Potential zooplankton preys (Copepoda and Appendicularia) for Engraulis anchoita in relation to early larval and spawning distributions atthe Patagonian frontal region (SW Atlantic Ocean)”

SPINELLI, M.; PÁJARO, M.; MARTOS, PATRICIA; ESNAL, G.; SABATINI, M; CAPITANIO, F.

SCIENTIA MARINA

INST CIENCIAS MAR BARCELONA

Lugar: Barcelona; Año: 2012 vol. 76 p. 39 - 47

0214-8358

We investigated the spatial distribution of abundance, biomass and size of zooplankton (nauplii, calanoids, cyclopoids and appendicularians) in relation to the distribution of first feeding larvae and eggs of Engraulis anchoita across the frontal system of Peninsula Valdes. Twelve samples of zooplankton and icthyoplankton were taken with small Bongo (67 µm) and Pairovet (200 µm) nets during the spring of 2004 along two transects. Total abundance of zooplankton and chlorophyll concentration was higher at homogeneous waters while total biomasses were higher at the stratified ones. Temperature was negatively correlated with biological variables being the main factor affecting zooplankton distribution. At both transects peak of first feeding larvae abundances were detected at coastal stations in coincidence to the smallest fraction of zooplankton (