Distribution of Euphausiid Crustaceans from the Agulhas Current

Abstract

Twenty-nine euphausiid species were collected during the three cruises of the S.A.S. NatoI in 1958. or these only Stylocheiron mkrophthalma had not previously been taken in South African waters. The commonest euphausiid represented in the collection is a larval series which is  rovisionally linked with Euphausia recuna or E. mutica. The vertical and horizontal distribution of each species is recorded and seasonal and latitudinal variation discussed. Stylochelron suhmii. S. microphthalma and Thysanopoda tricuspidata are proposed as indicators of Agulhas Current water and Nyctiphones capensis and Euphausia lucene as indicators of water not of Agulhas Current origin. The largest number of euphausiids was found off Port Elizabeth during both summer and winter.