Distribution of demersal crustaceans in the southern Adriatic Sea

Abstract

Occurrence, distribution, and assemblage of crustaceans in the southern Adriatic Sea were determined from data collected during five seasonal (summer) trawl surveys carried out during 1996-2000. Trawls were conducted at a bathymetric range of 10-800 m, by the same vessel and same sampling gear in the framework of the E.U. Project, MEDITS. Fifty-two benthic-epibenthic, and nektonic species (three stomatopods, 49 decapods) were caught. Species density data (individuals per km2) were processed according to multivariate techniques to describe the composition and distribution of main species assemblages. The assemblages were consistent throughout the surveyed area with some differences between the western and eastern zones, mostly those found on shelf bottoms. The influence of oceanographic features, other than depth, is discussed.