Large-scale geographic patterns of pelagic copepods in the southwestern South Atlantic

ACHA, EDUARDO MARCELO; ALEMANY, DANIELA; DERISIO, CARLA; VIÑAS, MARÍA DELIA; PIOLA, ALBERTO R.

JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2020 vol. 204

0924-7963

We compiled an extensive dataset of copepodpresence/absence data to define ecoregions in the southwesternSouth Atlantic (33ºS- 55ºS) and to examine their relationships towater mass characteristics. We also investigated the role ofmesoscale fronts in determining the boundaries of the ecoregions. Finally, wecompared copepod distributions with previously defined biogeographicalprovinces in the southwestern South Atlantic. The regional copepod communityis organized into six assemblages that occupy distinct areas of the shelf, theshelfbreak, and the oceanic realm. These areas are characterized by differentwater masses. In general, the spatial configuration of the ecoregions matchesthat of the previously defined regional biogeographic provinces and marinefronts seem to act as boundaries between the ecoregions.