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

MARIELA L. SPINELLI; MARCELO PAJARO; PATRICIA MARTOS; GRACIELA ESNAL; MARINA SABATINI; FABIANA L. CAPITANIO

SCIENTIA MARINA

INST CIENCIAS MAR BARCELONA

Año: 2012 vol. 76 p. 39 - 47

0214-8358

We investigated the spatial distribution of the 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 Valdés. Twelve samples of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton were taken with small Bongo (67 μm) and Pairovet (200 μm) nets during the spring of 2004 along two transects. The total abundance of zooplankton and the chlorophyll a concentration were higher in homogeneous waters, while total biomasses were higher in stratified waters. Temperature was negatively correlated with biological variables and was the main factor affecting the zooplankton distribution. In both transects, abundance peaks of first-feeding larvae were detected at coastal stations along with the smallest fraction of zooplankton (