Analysis of the vertical and geographic distribution of the abundant species of planktonic ostracods in the North-east Atlantic

Abstract

Recent improvements in gear and techniques have permitted much more detailed studies to be made of vertical distribution patterns of pelagic oceanic organisms (Vinogradov, 1970; Foxton, 1972). One such development is the RMT 1 + 8 opening-closing net system for sampling plankton and micronekton (Baker, Clarke & Harris, 1973) which can be acoustically monitored in situ for fishing depth, water temperature, flow and net operations. This sampler has been used to study the midwater communities in the N.E. Atlantic over the last 6 years during cruises by RRS ‘Discovery’. It has been successfully operated to depths of 4000 m.