Bibliographic Detail
Mystikou, A., Peters, A.F., Asensi, A.O., Fletcher, K.I., Brickle, P., West, P. van, Convey, P. & Küpper, F. , 2014
Reference:
Mystikou, A., Peters, A.F., Asensi, A.O., Fletcher, K.I., Brickle, P., West, P. van, Convey, P. & Küpper, F. (2014). Seaweed biodiversity in the south-western Antarctic Peninsula: surveying macroalgal community composition in the Adelaide Island/Marguerite Bay region over a 35-year time span. Polar Biology 37: 1607-1619.
Abstract:
The diversity of seaweed species of the southwestern
Antarctic Peninsula region is poorly studied, contrasting
with the substantial knowledge available for the
northern parts of the Peninsula. However, this is a key
region affected by contemporary climate change. Significant
consequences of this change include sea ice recession,
increased iceberg scouring and increased inputs of glacial
melt water, all of which can have major impacts on benthic
communities. We present a baseline seaweed species
checklist for the southern Adelaide Island and northern
Marguerite Bay region, combining data obtained during a
small number of surveys completed in 19731975 and a
6-week intensive diving-based field campaign in
20102011. Overall, with a total of 41 macroalgal species
recorded (7 brown, 27 red, 6 green, 1 chrysophyte), the
region is species-poor compared to the north of the
Antarctic Peninsula, and even more so in comparison with
the sub-Antarctic. The key canopy-forming species is
Desmarestia menziesii, which is abundant in Antarctic
Peninsula waters, but lacking in the sub-Antarctic. Himantothallus
grandifolius, which is a common species further
north in the Antarctic phytobenthos, was absent in our
recent collections. This paper also reports the first record of
Aplanochytrium sp. (Labyrinthulomycetes) from this part
of Antarctica and in association with Elachista sp
