Resumen

BENKENDORFER, Gabriela  y  SOARES-GOMES, Abílio. Biogeography and biodiversity of gastropod molluscs from the eastern Brazilian continental shelf and slope. Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. [online]. 2009, vol.37, n.2, pp. 143-159. ISSN 0718-560X.

Biogeographic distributional patterns of gastropods are proposed based on the species' geo-graphic and bathymetric distribution. Samples were collected along the Brazilian continental margin between 18° S and 23° S, at 37 stations with depths from 20 m to 1,330 m. The analysis of the biogeographic distribution patterns confirmed the existence of a transitional zone from tropical to subtropical waters in the area of both the continental shelf and slope, suggesting a relationship with water mass circulation. We observed a high species turnover rate between the shelf and slope. The analysis of gastropod species distribution revealed a similar pattern on the shelf and slope and a large difference between shallow and deep-water faunas.

Palabras clave : macrobenthos; continental margins; geographical distribution; vertical distribution; soft bottoms.