Kelp forest as a habitat for mobile epifauna: case study of Caprella septentrionalis Kröyer, 1838 (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in an Arctic glacial fjord

• Published in: Polar Research
• Main Authors: Ronowicz, Marta, Legeżyńska, Joanna, Kukliński, Piotr, Włodarska-Kowalczuk, Maria
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 2013
• Subjects: Caprellid amphipod; Arctic fjord; kelp forest; population structure; distribution; macroalgae; Arctic; Hornsund; Polar Research; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/3084; https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037

Distribution and abundance of the amphipod Caprella septentrionalis in relation to environmental conditions and habitat preferences were investigated in a kelp forest in Hornsund, Spitsbergen. Three sampling sites differed in hydrodynamics, organic and inorganic suspension concentration, and sedimentation rates. None of these abiotic factors or species of a macroalgal host appeared to have a significant influence on C. septentrionalis abundance and size range. An apparent preference towards the blade parts of the algal thalli was observed. These results support the idea of C. septentrionalis as a generalist Arcticboreal species that takes advantage of the protective nature of kelp forests.Keywords: Caprellid amphipod; Arctic fjord; kelp forest; population structure; distribution; macroalgae(Published: 20 November 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 21037, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037