SUPRABENTHIC ASSEMBLAGES FROM SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND BRANSFIELD STRAIT (ANTARCTICA) - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS ON FAUNISTICAL COMPOSITION, BATHYMETRIC AND NEAR-BOTTOM DISTRIBUTION

During austral summer 1995 suprabenthic assemblages were investigated at 24 stations located around Livingston Island, Deception Island and Bransfield Strait, at depths ranging from 45 to 650 m. Suprabenthos wa s collected on R/V Hesperides using a Macer-GIROQ sledge with an autom atic opening and closing system. This study presents data on the occur rence and relative abundance of the main suprabenthic groups collected in the water layer immediately adjacent to the bottom (10-140 cm abov e bottom). Commonest groups were Amphipoda, Mysidacea, Isopoda, Cumace a and Euphausiacea. The distribution and spatial separation in the sup rabenthic habitat of the main groups are discussed.