THE DEPTH DISTRIBUTION OF OSTRACODA FROM THE GREENLAND SEA

Sixteen box core samples of Recent sediment collected in three transec ts across the East Greenland shelf and slope were analysed for Ostraco da. The samples which range in depth from 274 m to 3355 m, yielded a t otal of 52 species belonging to 25 genera. No less than 26 of the spec ies also occur in the adjacent Scoresby Sund fjord complex. The fauna represents an interesting mixture of high latitude shallow water Arcti c species and others known from bathyal and abyssal depths in the Nort h Atlantic, including some pandemic deep sea species. Many species occ ur in shallower water here than in the North Atlantic due to the colde r water. The fauna comprised of three associations (Shelf/Upper Slope; Slope: Lower Slope/Abyss). A marked faunal turnover occurs at the Upp er Slope. The study raises questions concerning the constancy and univ ersality of the relationship between certain ostracod species and wate r masses.