| Northern and southern populations of Engraulis anchoita spawn during spring and early summer in the coastal and intermediate shelf regions of the Argentine Sea between 34°S-41°S and 41°S-48°S respectively. Samples were obtained in 8 research surveys carried out during the spawning peak of the species. In both populations, more than 70. of the stomachs analyzed were empty or with scarce food. In plankton samples taken copepods predominated in the whole reproductive area. However, densities (41,000 individuals m-2)were lower than those found on the external shelf. Distribution and number of preys observed in the stomach content were associated to the distribution and abundance of plankton organisms. When comparing coastal and shelf regions it was noted that... |
