The ecological importance of Antarctic Silverfish
The Antarctic marine ecosystem is very unique. It supports a fast range of species ranging from phytoplankton to blue whales. Many of these species are endemic, including the Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum which is abundant throughout the Antarctic marine ecosystem. P. antarcticum are...
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| Format: | Other/Unknown Material |
| Language: | English |
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University of Canterbury
2016
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10092/13825 |
| Summary: | The Antarctic marine ecosystem is very unique. It supports a fast range of species ranging from phytoplankton to blue whales. Many of these species are endemic, including the Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum which is abundant throughout the Antarctic marine ecosystem. P. antarcticum are the only truly pelagic fish in the Antarctic waters, and have an interesting life cycle that moves through the water column. Because of its high abundance and wide distribution, it is a key species in the in the Antarctic food web. This review aims to understand what the ecological importance of Antarctic silverfish and the role that they play in the Antarctic food web. Leading on from this it is important to understand what the potential threats to their population are. Such as climate change which threatens vulnerable life stages habitats and fishing which does not impact P. antarcticum directly but indirectly through its predators and prey species. |
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