Bathymetric distribution and diversity variation of macrobenthic invertebrates on the continental shelf and upper slope of southern Brazil

Authors

  • Ricardo Roberto Capitoli
  • Carlos Emilio Bemvenuti

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5088/atlântica.v26i1.2230

Keywords:

Atlântica sudeste, Plataforma Continental, Talude superior, Macroinvertebrados bentônicos, Diversidade, Southwest Atlantic, Continental Shelf, Upper slope, Benthic macro-invertebrates, Diversity.

Abstract

This study analyzed the bathymetric distribution and diversity variation of macrobenthic invertebrates on the continental shelf and upper slope of southern Brazil (32º 10’S o 33º 45’S) as well as their relationship with environmental conditions. three hundred twenty species were collected with a 1m width rectangular dredge in 90 stations between depth of 11 and 500m. Low species numbers at 11-20m and 83-105m depths coincided with homogeneous substrates, while areas of high richness (33-45m and 150-500m) were related to heterogeneous substrate. The limit between inner and middle shelf, nearly 50m depth, and the outer shelf (100-200m) were characterized as zones of faunistic changes. Low species number in the middle shelf was probably related to substrate homogeneity and low temperatures, due to austral winter ingression of Sub Antartic Shelf Water, over thermophylic species. The species equitativity increased from the outer shelf (100-200m) to maximum values on the upper slope (500m).

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Author Biography

Carlos Emilio Bemvenuti

Doutorado em Oceanografia (Oceanografia Biológica) pela Universidade de São Paulo (1992). Atualmente é professor titular da Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande.

Mais informações: Currículo Lattes

Published

2011-09-06

How to Cite

Capitoli, R. R., & Bemvenuti, C. E. (2011). Bathymetric distribution and diversity variation of macrobenthic invertebrates on the continental shelf and upper slope of southern Brazil. Atlântica (Rio Grande), 26(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.5088/atlântica.v26i1.2230

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Section

Artigos