The distribution of ciliates on Ecology Glacier (King George Island, Antarctica): relationships between species assemblages and environmental parameters

Abstract

Ciliates are important consumers of pico-and nano-sized producers, are nutrient regenerators, and are an important food source for metazoans. To date, ecological research on ciliates has focused on marine ecosystems rather than on glacier habitats. This paper presents the first major study on ciliates from the Ecology Glacier (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). The objective of the study was to investigate the structure and spatial distribution of ciliate communities and to identify the environmental factors determining the structure of the assemblages. Microbial communities were collected from three habitats: surface snow, cryoconite holes, and glacier streams. Sampling was carried out every 3-4 days from January 17 to February 24, 2012. A total of 18 ciliate taxa were identified. The species richness, abundance, and biomass of protozoa differed significantly between the stations studied with the lowest numbers in streams on the glacier surface and the highest numbers in cryoconite holes. The RDA performed to specify the direct relationships between the abundance of ciliate taxa and environmental variables showed obvious differences between studied habitats. The analysis showed that all variables together explained 62.4 % of total variance. However, variables that significantly explained the variance in ciliate communities in cryoconite holes, snow, and surface streams were temperature, conductivity, and total nitrogen. Further research is required to explain the impact of biotic factors influencing the presence of ciliates, including the abundance of bacteria, microalgae, and small Metazoa.

Ciliate community structure and interactions within the planktonic food web in two alpine lakes of contrasting transparency

“…Recent morphological and molecular studies have shown that glacial systems harbour a high microbial diversity including particle‐associated ciliate groups among others (Anesio & Laybourn‐Parry, ; Mieczan et al ., ; Lazzaro, Risse‐Buhl & Brankatschk, ; Lutz et al ., ). In our studied lakes, the species richness is significantly higher in the glacial turbid Lake FAS 3 than in the clear Lake FAS 4.…”

The microorganisms of cryoconite holes (algae, Archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and Protista): a review

“…Many Archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, ciliates and microinvertebrates (rotifers, tardigrades, arthropods etc.) have been reported from almost all investigated glaciers (for example Mieczan and others 2013a, 2013b; Sheridan and others 2003; Singh and others 2014b, 2014c; Takeuchi and Koshima 2004; Zawierucha and others 2015). These glaciers and ice sheets should be regarded as independent biomes due to truncated food webs and distinct biogeographical structure, with the cryoconite holes as autonomous microecosystems (Anesio and Laybourn-Parry 2012; Wharton and others 1985).…”

“…Mieczan and others (2013b): Antarctica: a) King George Island, Ecology Glacier [ 62°10.226′S, 58°28.268′W/ 62°10 ′ 13”S, 58°28’16”W –62°10.404′S, 58°28.546′W/ 62°10 ′ 24”S, 58°28 ′ 33” W; 40–145 m asl ].…”

What animals can live in cryoconite holes? A faunal review

“…Currently, cryoconite holes are considered to be extreme microecosystems, where primary production could be similar to those in the soil, and microorganisms such as bacteria, ciliata or algae inhabiting these environments (e.g. Vincent et al ., ; Mueller et al ., ; Fountain et al ., ; Hodson et al ., ; Anesio et al ., ; Cameron, Hodson & Osborn, ; Mieczan et al ., ). The development and functioning of these habitats are possible because of a decrease in albedo on the surfaces of cryoconite‐covered glaciers (e.g.…”