HOLOPLANKTONIC POLYCHAETES FROM THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA - AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1977

Abstract

This study is based on zooplankton samples collected by Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Mexico (August-September 1977) with a standard open net, at 41 stations in the epipelagic region of the Gulf of California. The seventeen species of holoplanktonic polychaetes that were determined represent new records from this region. Tomopteris planktonis, with a relative abundance of 73%, and 85% of occurrence, was the dominant species. With respect to their biogeographical affinities, most species belong to a subtropical-tropical pattern, three species are true cosmopolitans, and two have warm-water affinities. The data agree with the general patterns of distribution recorded for other groups of zooplankton in the epipelagic region of the Gulf of California.