Abstract
This work aimed to analyse the main characteristics of the bathymetric and geographic distribution, population size structure and size at maturity of the continental slope caridean shrimps Pasiphaea sivado and Pasiphaea multidentata in the western Mediterranean, as well as to try to relate the patterns obtained with geomorphologic and hydrographic characteristics. The study area encompassed the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. In both species, marked differences in depth distribution, density, and population size structure were found between Algerian basin populations, particularly in the Alboran Sea, and those in the Catalano-Balearic basin. Both shrimps showed a shallower bathymetric range in the westernmost region of the Algerian basin than in the rest of geographic sectors, linked to the occurrence of upwelling areas on the northwestern edges of the Alboran Sea. Populations of P. sivado reached larger densities, sizes and maturity size in the Algerian basin. No recruitment of P. multidentata was detected in the Algerian basin, whereas it was present in the Catalano-Balearic basin. In both species, the window range of bottom temperature and salinity was larger in juveniles than in adults. These different distribution and population dynamics imply that ecological functioning of these species differs between the two geomorphological basins of the western Mediterranean Sea.
Highlights
Benthopelagic shrimps have a widespread geographic and bathymetric distribution from high latitudes in both hemispheres to intertropical waters (Crosnier and Forest 1973, Casanova and Judkins 1976, Serejo et al 2007)
No recruitment of P. multidentata was detected in the Algerian basin, whereas it was present in the CatalanoBalearic basin
The window range of bottom temperature and salinity was larger in juveniles than in adults. These different distribution and population dynamics imply that ecological functioning of these species differs between the two geomorphological basins of the western Mediterranean Sea
Summary
Benthopelagic shrimps have a widespread geographic and bathymetric distribution from high latitudes in both hemispheres to intertropical waters (Crosnier and Forest 1973, Casanova and Judkins 1976, Serejo et al 2007). Benthopelagic shrimps are a fundamental food item for fish, other crustaceans and cephalopods with nektobenthic habits on the continental slope and deep sea (Garrison and Link 2000, Fanelli and Cartes 2008). Some of these species play an important ecological role and have potential for exploitation as commercial target species, as is the case of Pasiphaea japonica (Nanjo and Ohtomi 2009). Studies of the biology and ecology of pasiphaeid shrimps have been conducted in a few regions, such as the Japan Sea (Nanjo 2007, Nanjo and Ohtomi 2009), the Mediterranean Sea (Orsi-Relini and Relini 1990, Company et al 2001), and the northeastern and southeastern Atlantic Ocean (Matthews and Pinnoi 1973, Gibbons et al 1994, Kensley and Schotte 2006)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
