Vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in the interaction zone of the Canary and the Northern Branch of the Intertrades currents

Abstract

The analysis of the vertical distribution of the zooplankton and of the peculiarities of the specific, biotopic, trophic, and spatial structures in relation to the hydrological features was performed on the basis of the data on the vertical zooplankton sampling fulfilled at a transect along the coast of Morocco and Mauritania over depths of 1000 m in the summer of 2004. The surveyed area is inhabited by five zooplankton complexes: three surface and two interzonal ones associated with the water masses of different origin. The vertical boundary between the southern and northern complexes corresponds to the southern boundary of the Senegal-Mauritanian frontal zone, while the horizontal boundary between the surface and the interzonal complexes is mainly at the depths of about 200 m, and its location is basically determined by the water’s vertical dynamics. The surface and interzonal complexes of northern origin are involved in the formation of a highly productive zone in the waters of Cape Blanc. The formation of this zone is not related to upwelling.