Crustáceos Decápodos y Estomatópodos asociados a la pesquería del langostino patagónico Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) en el golfo San Jorge, Argentina

Abstract

The analysis of the data obtained in five research cruises carried out during the year 2000 allowed to describe the composition, structure and distribution of decapod and stomatopod crustaceans of the benthic communities of the San Jorge Gulf associated to Patagonian red shrimp fishing grounds. Results show that decapod and stomatopod crustaceans account for 71% of the total crustacean species registered in the benthic community. Munida subrugosa is the species that presents the highest values of relative abundance, frequency of occurrence and relative importance index. The feeding habits of Libidoclaea granaria, Lithodes santolla and Peltarion spinosulum and food availability in the San Jorge Gulf fishing grounds explain the high frequency of occurrence of said species in the sector. Distribution and abundance of Pterygosquilla armata armata is also clearly related to traditional fishing grounds (IR= 51.58). Abundance and predator and scavenger behaviour of this group of species result in a “cleaning” effect on the fishing grounds thus allowing for a rapid recovery after a fishing activity period.