The ostracod fauna in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico shows five clear associations related principally to the masses of water and the type of substratum. The first association includes the central fauna of the Gulf of Mexico and corresponds to the depths of the Northern Atlantic with depths greater than 1000 m. The second association develops in superficial waters with an influence of rainwater, in the western portion of the internal platform between 10 and 60 meters deep. The third association is represented by the ostracod that inhabit the medium platform, with no rainwater influence and depths ranging between 60 and 100 meters. The association of the external platform, considered the fourth association, with the continental slope is influenced by subtropical water between 110 and 800 meters deep. In the internal and middle part of the western platform of Yucatan, considered as the fifth group, the associations are not as well defined as in the earthborn portion.

The collection of Recent Ostracods from the South of the Gulf of Mexico has 3 228 records corresponding to 18 families, 64 genera and 104 species, and pertains to the SNIB.

Marine and Limnological Science Institute - D.F., UNAM

Projects supported by Conabio:

B027