Preliminary survey of the benthic communities of the Patagonian shrimp fishing grounds in San Jorge Gulf, Argentina

Abstract

Benthic sampling was carried out in the Patagonian shrimp Pleoticus muelleri fishing grounds. A total of 135 taxa from the benthic communities were identified. Two areas with particular benthic communities are defined. The dominant species in area 1, characterized by muddy and muddy-sandy sediments, are the bivalves Nuculana sulculata and Nucula puelcha, and the echinoid Pseudechinus magellanicus. The dominant species, mainly colonial elements, in area 2 which is characterized by gravel-sandy sediments are Sertulariidae, Bowerbankia sp. and Aetea. The relationships between Patagonian shrimp juveniles and a particular benthic community are discussed. -from Authors