Benthic faunal associations on soft substrates at Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica

• Main Authors: Sahade, R., Tatián, M., Kowalke, J., Kühne, S., Esnal, G.B.
• Format: Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: benthic invertebrate; community structure; soft bottom; vertical distribution; zoobenthos; Antarctica; South Shetland Islands; King George Island; Potter Cove; Anthozoa; Ascidiacea; Laternula elliptioca; Molgula pedunculata; Pennatulidae; Vivalvia; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_07224060_v19_n2_p85_Sahade

Associations of benthic invertebrates from Potter Cove (Antarctica) were defined from phototransects. Density, percentage cover, species richness S', diversity index H', evenness index J' and mean-size estimations were studied in relation to water depth down to 30 m. A clear bathymetric pattern was evident, with two different communities at 15 and 30 m, and a transition area between 20 and 25 m. At 15 m we observed a small number of taxa (nine in total), a high percentage of bare substratum (95%), and the dominant species were pennatulids and the bivalve Laternula elliptica. From 20 to 30 m the dominant species was the ascidian Molgula pedunculata and there was a slight increase in S', H' and J', as well as in the mean size of individuals, especially in M. pedunculata, while the proportion of bare substratum showed a constant decrease with depth. Using multivariate analyses, three faunal assemblages related to depth were defined and a strong association of some species, mainly predators and opportunistic necrophages, with M. pedunculata was revealed. Ice impact (icebergs and anchor ice) seems to be the major regulating factor of benthic assemblages in shallow waters. Fil:Esnal, G.B. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.