Mesopelagic fish larvae species in the Strait of Sicily and their relationships to main oceanographic events

This work investigates the spatial distribution and species composition of mesopelagic fish larvae and their relationship with the main oceanographic events in the area studied. Samples were collected during a hydrographic and ichthyoplanktonic survey carried out in the Strait of Sicily in July 2000. Sorting revealed that 1258 out of the 4098 fish larvae identified belonged to mesopelagic species; Cyclothone braueri (67.6% of the total), Electrona Risso (7.8%) and Myctophum punctatum (7.7%) were the most prevalent species, with 850, 97, and 98 individuals, respectively. The surface density patterns of mesopelagic fish larvae appear to be related to the hydrographic characteristics and structures determined by the surface circulation path.