Resumen

DIEZ, Mariano J et al. DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES IN THE BEAGLE CHANNEL, ARGENTINA. Anales Instituto Patagonia (Chile) [online]. 2009, vol.37, n.2, pp. 29-40. ISSN 0718-686X.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-686X2009000200003.

Bathymetric and spatio-temporal distributions of both abundance and biomass as well as secondary production of benthic invertebrates in the Beagle Channel were determined. The sampling stations were seasonally placed in three different areas in the Beagle Channel at two depth ranges, 15-40 m and 70-259 m. A total of 32,686 specimens distributed in 30 taxonomic groups were identified. In addition, 4 taxa were quantified only in terms of biomass. The invertebrate abundance and biomass were different with depth. Secondary production at this range was 0.59 ±0.51 kJ·m^-2 year¹ whereas it decreased to 0.09 ±0.08 kJ·m^-2 year¹ at 70-259 m. In contrast to secondary production, P/B ratio showed a positive increment with depth. Furthermore, seasonal variations were not observed in secondary production of the macrozoobenthos. Parameters directly associated with depth could be involved in structuring the macrobenthic assemblages in the Beagle Channel.

Palabras clave : Zoobenthos; Subantarctic waters; abundance; biomass, P/B ratio.