Chaetognath spatial distribution and how egg-carrying affects the vertical distribution of Sagitta tasmanica off southern Chile

• Main Authors: Francisco Villenas, Sergio Palma, Daniela Soto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2009-03-01
• Series: Scientia Marina
• Subjects: chaetognaths; spatial distribution; vertical distribution; southern channels; chile
• Online Access: http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1039

Six chaetognath species were determined, all for the first time, in the inner waters between Reloncaví Fjord and Boca del Guafo, Chile. Sagitta tasmanica (85.3%) and Eukrohnia hamata (5.8%) were dominant. Sagitta minima was collected for the first time in the southern channel and fjord region. The largest chaetognath aggregations were found around the Desertores Islands, which create a geographic barrier between two microbasins (north and south) with different oceanographic characteristics. S. decipiens was distributed mostly in the surface layer (0-50 m), whereas E. hamata, S. chilensis, S. minima, and S. enflata were found in deeper waters (50-200 m). The vertical distribution of S. tasmanica was homogeneous; mature, egg-carrying individuals were found at greater depths than those without eggs.