The distribution of Arachnactis albida M. Sars in the Celtic Sea

Abstract

The distribution of Arachnactis albida in the Celtic Sea in 1937–9 is described. The species appears, to have a definite centre of distribution in the neighbourhood of lat. 50° N., long. 10° W. The larvae have been taken as far south as lat. 48°, and eastwards up to the mouth of the English Channel, but they are absent from the tongue of low salinity water continuous with the St George's and Bristol Channels. Their distribution in the remaining area can be correlated with the cyclonic circulation.The larvae obtained from the Celtic Sea are specifically identical with those found off the west coast of Ireland and with the typical A. albida of the Faroe-Hebrides region.