Mesozooplankton composition and spatial distribution in Nuevo Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina

MENÉNDEZ MARÍA CLARA; BIANCALANA FLORENCIA; BERASATEGUI ANABELA ANAHÍ; FERNÁNDEZ SEVERINI MELISA DAIANA; HOFFMEYER MÓNICA SUSANA; ESTEVEZ JOSE LUIS

Check List Journal of species list and distribution

The Check List website is hosted by RNP (Rede Nacional de Ensino e Pesquisa) and maintained by CRIA (Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental)

Año: 2011 vol. 7 p. 101 - 107

1809-127X

The composition and spatial distribution of mesozooplankton of Nuevo Gulf, Argentina, were analyzed fromsurface samples taken on July, 1997. A total of 32 taxa were recorded. The highest abundances were found close to NuevaBay, which is located nearby a growing urban population, whereas the lowest values were detected in the center of thegulf. Holoplankton dominated at all stations and evidenced a homogeneous spatial distribution. Meroplankton showed amore heterogeneous pattern. Ctenocalanus vanus was the most abundant taxon followed by Paracalanus parvus. Gastropodaveligers dominated the meroplanktonic fraction. Our results showed that the spatial distribution of the mesozooplanktonseemed to be mainly influenced by the dominant hydrological circulation pattern of the region. This research establishesthe first scientific basis for further studies in zooplankton communities of this important gulf, closely related to a naturalprotected worldwide known area declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.