Arctic Ocean Cumacea

Abstract

Describes the distribution of the 56 cumacean species (14 genera, 5 families) associated with the Arctic Ocean (including the Barents Sea); 34% of species are endemic, but levels of endemism at the generic and family levels are low. Six biogeographical groups are identified; Atlantic subtropical-boreal, Atlantic boreal, Pacific-boreal, amphiboreal, boreal-Arctic and Arctic. Comments are made on the vertical distribution of species and the water masses of the Arctic Ocean, and there is brief discussion on the origin of the fauna. -P.J.Jarvis