Distribución espacial de diversidad y abundancia de copépodos planctónicos en el Pacifico ecuatoriano durante octubre del 2017

Abstract

The spatial distribution, abundance and diversity of pelagic copepods and their relationship with hydrographic variables was studied at 19 stations in the Ecuadorian Pacific in October 2017. Collections were made by surface trawling, with a standard net of 30 cm mouth diameter and 220 ? mesh size. Sixty-three species of copepods were identified, with abundance ranging from 173 org.m-3 to 2246 org.m-3 and diversity ranging from 2.13 to 5.40 bit.org-1. Generally, copepod diversity and abundance were higher near the mainland and the Galapagos Islands. According to the ACC, the variable that most influenced distribution, abundance and diversity was the SST, an environmental parameter that explains the dynamics of the copepod community. In general, the distribution, diversity and abundance of copepods was largely related to the development of the equatorial front displaced south of the coast of Ecuador and to upwelling processes controlled by coastal and oceanic currents. Most of the identified species are common in tropical and subtropical water masses of neritic and oceanic environment.