Distribution and abundance of Engraulis ringens eggs along the north-central Chilean coastline (25.0-31.5°S) during February 2008 to 2014.

In the north-central Chilean coast (25.5-31.5ºS), zooplankton samples were analyzed in 100 oceanographic stations from six oceanographic cruises made in February of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Engraulis ringens eggs were separated and counted, thus providing data on distribution, abundance, interannual variation, and relationships with ocean surface temperature and chlorophyll-a. The egg distribution was preferentially coastal, with maximum concentrations at stations next to Esmeralda Cove (26ºS) and Chañaral Cove (29ºS). In this time series, which includes cold and warm periods, it was established the relationship of these biological variables with defined ranges of temperature (16,1º-18,0ºC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]