Krill of the Ross Sea: distribution, abundance and demography of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias during the Italian Antarctic Expedition (January-February 2000)

Authors

  • Antonello Sala Istituto di Ricerche sulla Pesca Marittima, CNR, Largo Fiera Della Pesca
  • Massimo Azzali Istituto di Ricerche sulla Pesca Marittima, CNR, Largo Fiera Della Pesca
  • Aniello Russo Istituto di Ricerche sulla Pesca Marittima, CNR, Largo Fiera Della Pesca

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2002.66n2123

Keywords:

abundance, Antarctica, krill, demography, distribution, Euphausia crystallorophias, Euphausia superba, Ross Sea

Abstract


Net samples data from the 15th Italian Antarctic Oceanographic Cruise (Jan-Feb 2000) were analysed to obtain a general picture of the summer distribution pattern, abundance and demography of krill in the western Ross Sea (Antarctica). A midwater sampler-trawl (Hamburg Plankton Net) was used to collect zooplankton and fish larvae. Mean relative biomass of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba, in the area north of Continental Shelf, was 9.3 g/1000 m3 of filtered water with a mean density of 10.9 ind./1000 m3. Ice krill Euphausia crystallorophias replaced the Antarctic krill in dominance in the High Antarctic Zone (south of 74°), with a mean relative biomass of 3.0 g/1000 m3 and a mean density of 19.1 ind./1000 m3. The present data have demonstrated that in the Ross Sea the two species of euphausiid inhabited different areas during the summer period. Oceanographic data indicate that both euphausiid species were found in surface waters, Euphausia crystallorophias in proper Ross Sea water, and Euphausia superba in Antarctic Surface Water. The catch data of Euphausia superba were characterised by the complete absence of larval stages, scarce occurrence of juveniles and composed primarily of large adult stages, whereas the overall length frequency distribution of Euphausia crystallorophias was characterised by a first mode of juvenile individuals and a second mode consisting of sub-adults and adults.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2002-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Sala A, Azzali M, Russo A. Krill of the Ross Sea: distribution, abundance and demography of Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias during the Italian Antarctic Expedition (January-February 2000). Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2002Jun.30 [cited 2024Mar.28];66(2):123-3. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/571

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)