ISSN:
1432-2056
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The metazoan fauna of platelet layers was investigated at Drescher Inlet, Weddell Sea, Antarctica in the late summer of 1995. Twenty-eight species were found, many of them new to science. The most abundant subclass was the Copepoda, of which almost 90% of the individuals belong to only three species: Drescheriella glacialis, Stephos longipes and Paralabidocera antarctica. Among copepods, Harpacticoida was the largest group, represented by 16 species. Total abundance varied between 40 and 120 individuals l−1. Abundances and population structure were comparable to other especially porous sea-ice habitats. Results indicate competitive exclusion among the three dominant species. The finding of a profuse meiofauna in platelet layers may explain enigmatic concentrations of ammonium and phosphate commonly detected there.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003000050393
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