Epibenthic communities of trawlable grounds of the Cantabrian Sea

摘要: Epibenthic communities of the Cantabrian shelf were sampled in October 2000 and 2001 using a 3.5 m beam trawl. The surveys undertaken following pattern stratified sampling four transects perpendicular to coastline included three depth strata (30-100, 101-200, 201-400 m). total number species collected was 241, belonging 9 taxa, which best represented molluscs crustaceans. Longitudinal differences ecological indices detected relation biogeographical hydrographic patterns. Three main assemblage groups identified cluster analysis. effect environmental variables (depth, near-bottom temperature salinity, sediment morphology, Atlantic influence) on assemblages also by canonical ordination, showing two gradients: depth/water characteristics. Assemblages both methods spatially coherent. hermit crab Diogenes pugilator typifies poor fine sands inner shelf; fishes ( Arnoglossus laterna, Callyonimus maculatus, Pomatochistus sp.) crab, Anapagurus laevis , characterise middle sediments with higher organic content, echinoderm Ophiura affinis fish Lepidorhombus boscii Crangonidae Crustacea typify deeper community medium intermediate levels content.