Food availability and gut contents in the ascidian Cnemidocarpa verrucosa at Potter Cove, Antarctica

A high seasonality characterizes Antarctic environments, and generates marked differences in availability and composition of food for benthic filter feeders. During a year-round period at Potter Cove, Antarctica, algal pigment concentration (chlorophyll a) and organic matter were measured in water c...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar biology 2002, Vol.25 (1), p.58-64
Main Authors: TATIAN, Marcos, SAHADE, Ricardo, KOWALKE, Jens, KIVATINITZ, Silvia C, ESNAL, Graciela B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Ascidiacea
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Cnemidocarpa verrucosa
Food availability
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Marine biology
Marine ecology
Microbiology
Organic matter
Predation
Primary production
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Sea ice
Seasonal variations
Sediment samplers
Water column
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A high seasonality characterizes Antarctic environments, and generates marked differences in availability and composition of food for benthic filter feeders. During a year-round period at Potter Cove, Antarctica, algal pigment concentration (chlorophyll a) and organic matter were measured in water column and sediment samples. Chemical composition of gut contents of the ascidian Cnemidocarpa verrucosa was also analyzed. Despite the low standing stock, capture and absorption of organic matter were detected year-round, suggesting intake of other particles besides microalgae. The mechanism that provides food to the ascidians and epibenthic communities may be related to the supply of allochtonous particles, bottom resuspension events, and microbial community dynamics. Sea-ice cycles may affect food availability in terms of water-column mixing and benthic resuspension. The scarce primary production and the high amount of sedimented material are not limiting conditions in Potter Cove, which presents a rich ascidian community.
ISSN:0722-4060
1432-2056
DOI:10.1007/s003000100311