Polychaete fauna associated with holdfasts of the large brown alga Himantothallus grandifolius in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctic

Abstract

The polychaete community associated with holdfasts of the brown alga Himantothallus grandifolius in Admiralty Bay has been studied. It is the first study of its kind in this area and only the second in the Antarctic. Samples were collected in the summer season of 1979/ 1980 from a depth range of 10-75 m. Seventy-eight species were found on 19 holdfasts. The community was dominated by Brania rhopalophora and Neanthes kerguelensis. Analysis of similarity showed that polychaete fauna associated with this habitat did not show any partitioning related to depth. Regression analysis showed that densities of both species and individuals decreased with increased holdfast volume. A positive correlation was found between the number of individuals and holdfast volume. Polychaetes from 10 feeding guilds were found with dominance of macrophagous motile herbivores and sessile filter feeders. The complex habitat provided by holdfasts is a shelter for a rich polychaete fauna and may function as important protection from disturbance in the shallow areas of Admiralty Bay.

Diversity and abundance of isopod fauna associated with holdfasts of the brown alga Himantothallus grandifolius in Admiralty Bay, Antarctic

“…Similar results were obtained in analysis of polychaete fauna associated with H. grandifolius holdfasts in Admiralty Bay. Species which dominated within holdfasts were al− most completely absent on the surrounding soft bottom (Pabis and Siciński 2010).…”

“…Only a few studies were dedicated to the Antarctic invertebrate fauna associated with this habitat. Until now only diversity of amphipods (Huang 2007;Martin et al in press), polychaetes (Pabis and Siciński 2010), gastropods (Amsler et al 2015;Martin et al in press) and bivalves (Martin et al in press) has been assessed.…”

“…Kelp holdfasts are considered islands on the ocean floor and provide shelter for various macro−invertebrate organisms (Thiel and Vasquez 2000;Pabis and Siciński 2010). Moreover, kelp forests have been highlighted as the most important bio− diversity hotspots in the Southern Ocean (Gray 2001;Huang 2007).…”

Macrozoobenthos of two Antarctic glacial coves: a comparison with non-disturbed bottom areas

“…Holdfasts of those macroalgae can be an important vector of transport of animals into the cove (Edgar 1987). Polychaetes, like Tharyx cincinnatus, Leitoscoloplos kerguelensis and Rhodine intermedia, were among the most frequent and/or abundant species in the holdfasts of Himantothallus grandifolius in Admiralty Bay (Pabis and Sicinski 2010). Another vector could be associated with the transportation of animal carcasses into the lagoon together with the necrophagous invertebrates.…”

Assemblages and habitat preferences of soft bottom Antarctic Amphipoda: Admiralty Bay case study

“…However, analysing the species composition of Admiralty Bay assemblage A and the habits of component species reported in the literature (e.g. Thurston 1974;Huang et al 2006Huang et al , 2007 it seems that it is not only the physical conditions which influence the shallow-water assemblage but also the presence of macroalgae, as they do not only provide food but also the shelter for several species (Pabis and Siciński 2010b). Another physically controlled assemblage which can be observed in Admiralty Bay is the one characteristic of Ezcurra Inlet.…”