In:
Antarctic Science, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 11, No. 4 ( 1999-12), p. 408-414
Abstract:
We analysed growth of the arborescent Antarctic cheilostome bryozoan Cellaria incula by stable carbon and oxygen isotope analysis. The growth of one complete branch of C. incula takes one year, i.e. owing to the bifurcate colony structure two new branches grow from each branch of the previous generation. The maximum age of a C. incula colony is likely to be more than 14 years. Annual production-to-biomass ratio is 0.67, the highest value hitherto measured for any benthic invertebrate south of 62°S. Comparatively fast growth and high productivity identify C. incula as a pioneer species which is able to quickly occupy spatial niches produced by iceberg scouring on the Antarctic shelf.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0954-1020
,
1365-2079
DOI:
10.1017/S0954102099000516
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2104104-0
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1009128-2
SSG:
12
SSG:
13
SSG:
14
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