Mega-epibenthic diversity off Terre Adélie (Antarctica) in relation to disturbance

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Gutt, Julian, Koubbi, Philippe, Eléaume, Marc
• Other Authors: Biologie des organismes marins et écosystèmes (BOME), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2007
• Subjects: Intermediate-disturbance hypothesis; Sea-bed video; Assemblages; Iceberg scouring; Suspension feeders; [SDV.BID]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biodiversity; East Antarctica; Terre Adélie; Terre-Adélie; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Biology
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-00248387; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0293-z

International audience Mega-benthic assemblages have been analyzed off Terre Adélie (East Antarctica) between 20 and 110 m depth by seabed videography. The study area is dominated by high abundances of sessile suspension feeders, however, sponges are rare at this depth. There are hints and evidence that different levels of disturbance and biological dynamics affect these assemblages. Biodiversity results are interpreted with the background of an applicability of the intermediate-disturbance hypothesis (IDH)