Comparison of the density and distribution of krill larvae during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 in contrast with salps densities in the Mar de la Flota/Bransfield Strait and Elephant Island surroundings

We present a summary of the euphausiid larvae collected during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 in waters off the West Antarctic Peninsula (Mar de la Flota/Bransfield Strait) and Elephant Island surroundings. During 2019 E. superba and Thysanoessa macrura abundances were very high, while during 2020 all euphausiid larvae had very low densities. Salps densities showed and opposite pattern, and were contrasted with the 2018 densities in the same area, joint with environmental conditions (chlorophyll a and water masses properties). 

Possible causes of inter annual variability in krill larvae and salps densities are discussed in the context of climate change.