Biogeography of continental shelf and upper slope fishes off El Salvador, Central America

Author(s):  
Claudia I. Fuentes ◽  
Enzo Acuña ◽  
Numa R. Hernández

The present research provides detailed information on the geographic and bathymetric distributional patterns of fishes and describes the main species assemblages of the continental shelf and upper slope off El Salvador. The sampling was based on 673 bottom-trawl tows taken during research surveys from April to November 2003. The data analysis was based on presence-absence matrixes and was conducted with PRIMER 6 software. A total of 148 fish species were recorded during the study period: the families with the highest number of species were Sciaenidae (13) and Carangidae (10), and the highest percentages of occurrence were registered for Porichthys margaritatus (40.6%), Pontinus sp. (34.8%) and Monolene dubiosa (33.1%). The cluster analysis by depth showed three faunistic associations: (1) on the inner and part of the mid continental shelf (20–60 m), (2) one bathymetric stratum on the mid continental shelf (80–100 m), and (3) on the outer continental shelf and upper slope (120–240 m). The cluster analysis by geographic zones showed separation between three zones: Western, Central and Eastern Zones off El Salvador. The Central zone is characterized by a different fish community of mixed habitat, while the main factor that determined the fish assemblages on the continental shelf and upper slope was depth.

Author(s):  
Montserrat Demestre ◽  
Pilar Sánchez ◽  
Pere Abelló

Continental shelf and upper slope fish communities were studied along the Catalan coast based on 66 experimental bottom otter trawls. A total of 79 demersal fish species were studied by means of cluster analysis and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordination for community structure. Analysis revealed the existence of five major location clusters. Similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) was determined by comparing the dissimilarity between two groups of samples using the discriminating species. Geomorphological characteristics, bottom substratum and depth showed direct influences on species assemblages. High correlation between the biotic data samples and depth was observed. The fish species assemblages identified five main demersal fish associations which corresponded with the five location clusters and with five benthic sediments (mud of the upper slope, sand and gravel, mud of the shelf, muddy-sand and sand with rocky outcrops).


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Virgínia Alves Martins ◽  
Johann Hohenegger ◽  
Fabrizio Frontalini ◽  
Cristina Sequeira ◽  
Paulo Miranda ◽  
...  

This work is based on a compilation of benthic foraminiferal data collected in the Aveiro Lagoon and in the adjacent continental shelf and upper slope (center of Portugal). It intends to provide an overall analysis from transitional to the outer continental shelf of the occurrence and distribution of species in living and to present updated taxonomic data and illustrations of most of the species found in the in the Aveiro Lagoon and in the adjacent continental shelf including in total assemblages. Cluster analysis (CA) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) interpreted as depth functions allow us to identify the main species in different ecoenvironments and sectors of the study area. The most unusual living assemblage was documented in the lagoon inlet under very strong tidal currents activity, composed mostly by the following species (both in living and total assemblages): Rotaliammina concava, Lepidodeuterammina ochracea, Quinqueloculina seminula, Gavelinopsis praegeri, Paratrochammina haynesi, Remaneica helgolandica and Remaneicella gonzalezi. The distribution patterns of some Trochamminidae and Remaneicidae species whose ecology and distribution pattern are poorly known, have proved to be a marker of more or less hydrodynamic and stable/unstable environments in coastal and transitional marine environments. OCORRÊNCIA DE FORAMINÍFEROS E DISTRIBUIÇÃO DAS PRINCIPAIS ESPÉCIES NA LAGOA DE AVEIRO E NA PLATAFORMA CONTINENTAL ADJACENTE (PORTUGAL)ResumoEste trabalho baseia-se numa compilação de dados foraminíferos bentónicos recolhidos na Laguna de Aveiro e na plataforma continental adjacente (centro de Portugal). Pretende efetuar uma análise geral da distribuição de espécies nas associações vivas e totais (vivas e mortas) na área de estudo, em função da profundidade. Pretende ainda apresentar dados taxonómicos e ilustrações da maioria das espécies encontradas na Laguna de Aveiro e na plataforma continental adjacente. A análise de agrupamento (CA) e a análise de componentes principais (PCA), em função da profundidade, permitem identificar as principais espécies em diferentes ecossistemas e setores da área de estudo. A associação viva mais invulgar foi encontrada na embocadura da Laguna de Aveiro, um ambiente sujeito a forte corrente de maré. Essa associação era composta principalmente pelas seguintes espécies (na associação viva e total): Rotaliammina concava, Lepidodeuterammina ochracea, Quinqueloculina seminula, Gavelinopsis praegeri, Paratrochammina haynesi, Remaneica helgolandica and Remaneicella gonzalezi. Os padrões de distribuição de algumas espécies de Trochamminidae e Remaneicidae, cuja ecologia e padrão de distribuição são pouco conhecidos, mostraram ser um marcador de ambientes mais ou menos hidrodinâmicos e de estabilidade/instabilidade do substrato em ambientes marinhos costeiros e de transição. Palavras-chave: Ecologia. Taxonomia. Imagens digitais. Análise Estatística. Ambientes Transicionais e Costeiros Marinhos.


1967 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1385-1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. McCauley ◽  
Andrew G. Carey Jr.

Ten species of echinoids are known to occur off Oregon. Three distinct bathymetric groups are recognized: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, S. franciscanus, and Dendraster excentricus occur in shallow waters from intertidal down to about 65 m; S. echinoides occurs on the outer continental shelf, and Brisaster latifrons and Allocentrotus fragilis occur on the outer shelf and upper slope at depths of about 70–840 m; and Aëropsis fulva, Sperosoma giganteum, Urechinus loveni, and Ceratophysa rosea are found in deep water from depths of 2090 to 3000 m. Bathymetric ranges are extended for six species and geographic ranges are extended for five species.


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