Occurrence of nematodes, tardigrades and rotifers on ice-free areas in East Antarctica

Nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades were collected on three nunataks (mountain peaks penetrating the ice sheet) in Vestfjella, on six nunataks in Heimefrontfjella and on the Schirmacher Oasis in East Antarctica in the austral summers of 1996/97 and 2001/02. Most samples were taken on the nunatak Bas...

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Published inPedobiologia Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 395 - 408
Main Authors Sohlenius, Björn, Boström, Sven, Ingemar Jönsson, K.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Jena Elsevier GmbH 01.01.2004
Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects
Biologi
Biological Sciences
Biologiska vetenskaper
East Antarctica
Ecology
Ekologi
Microfauna
Natural Sciences
Naturvetenskap
Nematoda
Nunataks
Rotatoria
Rotifera
Tardigrada
Zoologi
Zoology
Antarctica
Tardigrada
Rotatoria
Microfauna
Nunataks
East Antarctica
Nematoda
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Summary:Nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades were collected on three nunataks (mountain peaks penetrating the ice sheet) in Vestfjella, on six nunataks in Heimefrontfjella and on the Schirmacher Oasis in East Antarctica in the austral summers of 1996/97 and 2001/02. Most samples were taken on the nunatak Basen in Vestfjella where the Swedish station Wasa is located. The microfauna was patchily distributed and the highest densities of animals were found on sites with visible vegetation of mosses, lichens or algae. Thirty-four taxa of nematodes and tardigrades were found. Only seven of these occurred regularly in apparently actively reproducing populations. Other occasional records of nematodes had very few specimens. The highest number of species was found on the nunatak Basen. Rotifers, found in 66% of the samples, were the most frequent animal group. Nematodes occurred in 37% of the samples and tardigrades in 42%. The most frequent nematodes were Plectus and Panagrolaimus, occurring in 26% and 5% of the samples, respectively. Macrobiotus, Hebesuncus and Acutuncus were the most frequent and abundant tardigrades. The pattern of animal distribution can be related to both habitat characteristics and to the geographic position of the nunatak. The communities are little organised and the distribution of the fauna has similarities with an early phase of colonisation.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:0031-4056
1873-1511
1873-1511
DOI:10.1016/j.pedobi.2004.06.001