IB03-41 ORAL

MEROPLANKTON OF THE SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC OCEAN: VITORIA - TRINDADE SEAMOUNT CHAIN.

M.L.M.SCHUTZE (Santa Ursula University, Rua Fernando Ferrari, 75, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil, 22231-040, mlmschutze@inx.com.br); F. W. Kurtz (Santa Ursula University, Rua Fernando Ferrari, 75, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil, 22231-040., fredkurtz@ax.apc.org)

Mesozooplankton samples were collected from May 6th to June 4th, 1987, during the TAAF MD-55/BRAZIL expedition undetaken by the "Marion Dufresne", in the area of the seamount chain Vitória - Trindade. The abundance of the mesozooplankton at 8 stations over the seamounts were studied. The material was collected in vertical hauls using WP2 type nets of 200mm mesh, at the depths 50-0 m. Most major taxa of benthic invertebrates possesses some species with pelagic larvae, planktotrophic larvae feeding on planktonic organisms, lecithotrophic larvae not feeding during the planktonic life. The aim of this study is investigate the structure of the meroplanktonic communities associated to the seamounts. Meroplankton was represented for gastropods, polychaets, decapods and cirripeds larvae. The density of crustacean decapod larvae diminished in the towards off - shore. For the gastropods and polychaets larvae this trend was more discreet. Conversely echinoderm larvae density increase!d in the West - East direction.