Distribution patterns of macrozoobenthos: a comparison between the Magellan Region and the Weddell Sea (Antarctic)

Abstract

The Joint Chilean-German-Italian Magellan Victor Hensen Campaign in October/November 1994 and the Polarstern expedition ANT XIII/4 (May 1996) yielded 207 quantitative multibox corer samples from 11 stations in the Paso Ancho (Magellan Straits), 10 stations in the Beagle Channel, and 15 stations of the shelf and continental slope off the eastern entrance of the Beagle Channel. Mean abundance values in the Magellan Region varied from 1591 Ind. M-2 in the Paso Ancho to 3643 Ind. m-2 in the Beagle Channel and 3983 Ind. m-2 on the shelf; the corresponding biomass values were 96.8 g, 301.6 g, and 119.0 g wet weight m-2 respectively. In terms of org. C the corresponding values are 4.8, 11.4, and 4.6 g m-2. Abundance (3806 Ind. m-2) and biomass (222.6 g wet weight m-2 or 7.3 g C) data from the eastern Weddell Sea shelf (Polarstern expeditions ANT VI/3, 1987/88 and ANT VII/4, 1989) are in the same range. The composition of the fauna, however, reveals distinct differences.

Keywords

• macrobenthos
• community structure
• southern chile
• antarctic