. Latitudinal and bathymetric distribution patterns of ophiuroids (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) on scallop fishing grounds at the shelf-break frontal system, SW Atlantic.

ESCOLAR M.; HERNANDEZ D.; BREMEC C.

MARINE BIODIVERSITY RECORDS

Cambridge Univ. Press

Año: 2013 p. 1 - 8

1755-2672

Ophiuroidea represents the dominant invertebrate group in Patagonian scallop fishery by-catch in the South Western Atlantic. This study presents information that brings forward the spatial patterns and abundance of the most abundant species in the benthic community associated with this fishery developed at the shelf-break front in the Argentine Sea, between 37º and 44ºS during the period 2002-2005. Ophiactisasperula, Ophiacantha vivipara, Ophiura (Ophiuroglypha) lymani and Gorgonocephalus chilensis showed a latitudinal and bathymetric distribution pattern, explained by their natural distributional ranges and feeding habits. Our results indicate that scallop fishing activities were not related to the abundance and distribution of these species.