Abstract
Benthic sampling was carried out in the Patagonian shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri Bate, 1888) fishing grounds in San Jorge Gulf, Argentina, in order to determine composition, spatial distribution and relative abundance of the species in the benthic communities. Biological samples were taken with an epibenthic sledge in 66 sampling stations, and 57 sediment samples for granulometric analysis with a Picard dredge. A total of 135 taxa from the benthic communities were identified. Cluster Analyses (Q and R modes) were applied using the Fager (Fager and McGowan, 1963) and Czekanowski (Legendre and Legendre, 1979) indexes. Faunistic and sedimentological studies clearly define two areas with particular benthic communities. The dominant species in area 1, characterized by muddy and muddy-sandy sediments, are Nuculana sulculata (Couthouy, 1852), Nucula puelcha D’Orbigny, 1842 and Pseudechinus magellanicus (Philippi, 1857). The dominant species, mainly colonial elements, in area 2 which is characterized by gravel-sandy sediments are Sertulariidae, Bowerbankia sp. and Aetea. The relationships between Patagonian shrimp juveniles and a particular benthic community are discussed, considering the presence of the species as an integrant of the epifaunal benthos.
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