Abstract

Vertical distribution of microzooplankton and fish larvae was studied in a Patagonian fjord from Chile. Zooplankton collection, including larvae of the sprat Sprattus fuegensis (Clupeidae) and the lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis (Sternoptychidae) were collected during a 25 h period inside Steffen fjord (47 degrees S) during November 2008, using stratified sampling of zooplankton, prey field, and CTD casts. Most copepod nauplii, copepodites of Acartia tonsa and large M. parvipinnis larvae were collected in the vicinity of the pycnocline, while larval S. fuegensis did not show a spatial pattern. Therefore, some larval fish species may utilize stable water parcels to increase predator-prey encounter rates.