The chaetognath abundance, species richness and bathymetric distribution in the upper 1000 m in two regions of the Atlantic Ocean is discussed based on samples collected on two cruises, one to the Sargasso Sea (Northwest Atlantic) on board the R/V R.H.

While the phylogenetic position of Chaetognatha has became central to the question of early bilaterian evolution, the internal systematics of the phylum are still not clear. The phylogenetic relationships of the chaetognaths were investigated using newly

Three different hydrographic regimes were identified during the MAR-ECO cruise in the North Atlantic in June 2004 between 59°N and 42°N. Chaetognaths were sampled with a non-quantitative open plankton net through the entire water column. The species composition