Suprabenthic assemblages from South Shetland Islands and Bransfield Strait (Antarctica): preliminary observations on faunistical composition, bathymetric and near-bottom distribution

Abstract

During austral summer 1995 suprabenthic assemblages were investigated at 24 stations located around Livingston Island, Deception Island and Bransfield Strait, at depths ranging from 45 to 650 m. Suprabenthos was collected on R/V Hesperides using a Macer-GIROQ sledge with an automatic opening and closing system. This study presents data on the occurrence and relative abundance of the main suprabenthic groups collected in the water layer immediately adjacent to the bottom (10–140 cm above bottom). Commonest groups were Amphipoda, Mysidacea, Isopoda, Cumacea and Euphausiacea. The distribution and spatial separation in the suprabenthic habitat of the main groups are discussed.