Foreword
The Antarctic represents the last of the world's still unexplored continents. Since
1985, Italy has sent nine expeditions to this region, making it one of the most
scientifically active nations in the Antarctic. Italy has built a permanent base
there and has begun a systematic collection of data and samples which will
contribute to our understanding of this peculiar and extremely fascinating
continent.
Within this framework, Italy has also conducted research in a sub-Antarctic
region of great scientific interest, the Straits of Magellan. This region, with its
characteristic oceanography and biota, represents a transition point between the
faunal assemblages of temperate and antarctic seas. This atlas on the zooplankton
of the region is an important contribution to the study of the faunal assemblages
of the Straits and will hopefully be followed by others. The initiative is part of a
vast program launched by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Scientific
and Technological Research to promote the exploration of Antarctic and
sub-Antarctic seas, the aim of which is to preserve one of the Earth's largest
and most undisturbed natural laboratories.
National Scientific Co-ordinator
Ecology and Biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean
Italian Programme for Antarctic Research
FRANCESCO FARANDA
The current need to study and understand the biodiversity of the world's
oceans makes the Magellan Straits a key region for taxonomic and ecological
studies. Located at the southern tip of South America, this is the longest of the
Chilean fjords, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Straits used to
be, before the construction of the Panama Canal, the most important navigation
route between these oceans. Nevertheless, its oceanography and biogeography
are relatively unknown.
The Straits constitute a highly heterogeneous area and are a major link
between the pelagic faunas of temperate and Antarctic regions. In this regard,
this volume represents a valuable contribution to the understanding of its
copepod fauna. Marine copepods are, in fact, the most abundant component
of the zooplankton and playa key role in the carbon flux dynamics of the area.
Also, the copepod fauna is an interesting group to study for taxonomic and
evolutionary purposes. While some species, such as Calanoides patagoniensis
are endemic to the area, others, such as Paraeuchaeta antarctica, have an
Antarctic origin.
The Antarctic represents the last of the world's still unexplored continents. Since
1985, Italy has sent nine expeditions to this region, making it one of the most
scientifically active nations in the Antarctic. Italy has built a permanent base
there and has begun a systematic collection of data and samples which will
contribute to our understanding of this peculiar and extremely fascinating
continent.
Within this framework, Italy has also conducted research in a sub-Antarctic
region of great scientific interest, the Straits of Magellan. This region, with its
characteristic oceanography and biota, represents a transition point between the
faunal assemblages of temperate and antarctic seas. This atlas on the zooplankton
of the region is an important contribution to the study of the faunal assemblages
of the Straits and will hopefully be followed by others. The initiative is part of a
vast program launched by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Scientific
and Technological Research to promote the exploration of Antarctic and
sub-Antarctic seas, the aim of which is to preserve one of the Earth's largest
and most undisturbed natural laboratories.
National Scientific Co-ordinator
Ecology and Biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean
Italian Programme for Antarctic Research
FRANCESCO FARANDA
The current need to study and understand the biodiversity of the world's
oceans makes the Magellan Straits a key region for taxonomic and ecological
studies. Located at the southern tip of South America, this is the longest of the
Chilean fjords, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Straits used to
be, before the construction of the Panama Canal, the most important navigation
route between these oceans. Nevertheless, its oceanography and biogeography
are relatively unknown.
The Straits constitute a highly heterogeneous area and are a major link
between the pelagic faunas of temperate and Antarctic regions. In this regard,
this volume represents a valuable contribution to the understanding of its
copepod fauna. Marine copepods are, in fact, the most abundant component
of the zooplankton and playa key role in the carbon flux dynamics of the area.
Also, the copepod fauna is an interesting group to study for taxonomic and
evolutionary purposes. While some species, such as Calanoides patagoniensis
are endemic to the area, others, such as Paraeuchaeta antarctica, have an
Antarctic origin.