BATHYPELAGIC SQUID BATHYTEUTHIS 121 



depths because only small specimens were captured in less than 1800 m 

 in the Peru Current. 



The examination of the distribution of capture-plots with tempera- 

 ture reveals that the majority of captures, including the greatest num- 

 ber of specimens, was taken below the 2.5° isotherm. All these captures 

 were deeper than 1000 m except for two tow^s in the south where the 

 1.5° to 2° C water rises to shallow depths. North of the convergence 

 in water above 2.5° C eight of eleven tows contained only larvae or 

 juveniles (26 specimens) . The other three tows captured ten specimens, 

 six of which were larvae and juveniles. No adults were taken in water 

 warmer than 2.5° C in less than 1250 m. ; the four adults occurred at 

 1400-1830 m. 



The plot of captures on the salinity section reveals that catches were 

 made at a variety of salinities (fig. 30). In the Antarctic Circumpolar 

 Water Mass 21 captures were made in the layer of maximum salinity 

 of greater than 34.70%o ; nine of these were in the maximum salinity 

 core of greater than 34.72%o. Six captures were between 34.60%o- 

 34.70%o, and three in less than 34.30%o. In the Peru Current sector four 

 successful tows were at salinities between 34.30%o-34,50%o. The remain- 

 ing eight tows in this region were in the layer of maximum salinity, 

 which in Pacific Deep Water has values greater than 34.60%o but 

 less than 34.70%o. 



Distribution of the plots of captures with density in the Antarctic 

 Circumpolar Water Mass corresponds with the maximum salinity and 

 low temperatures. Twenty-three captures were made at sigma-t values 

 of 27.75 to 25.85. Only six captures were at less than 27.50 ; these were 

 in water less^than 1000 m deep just north of the convergence where 

 the salinities are relatively low and the temperatures relatively high. 

 In the Peru Current tlie two shallowest tows were at sigma-t values 

 of less than 27.25, the two intermediate tows were around 27.50, and 

 the remaining tows were at high densities greater than 27.65. 



The pattern of distribution in relation to oxygen concentration is 

 difficult to assess. In the Antarctic Circumpolar Water Mass south 

 of 55°S most of the captures are at or below^ the oxygen minimum 

 layer, the values of which decrease northward; south of 60°S the 

 simultaneous oxygen concentrations range from 4.00 ml/L to 4.90 

 nd/L and north of 60°S the values below the minimum range from 

 3.71 ml/L to 4.40 ml/L. (^aptures occur shallower than the oxygen min- 

 imum layer only north of 60°S where, in the convergence zone, at least, 

 the minimum oxygen layer dips to over 2000 m. Only the few shallow 

 captures, containing mostly juveniles and larvae, occur at concentra- 

 tions greater than 5.00 ml/L. No oxygen data are available for the 

 deeper waters of the Peru Current, but, if the oxygen distribution 



