First report of Laternula elliptica in the Antarctic intertidal zone

Waller, Catherine L.; Overall, Andy; Fitzcharles, Elaine; Griffiths, Huw ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1764-223X. 2017 First report of Laternula elliptica in the Antarctic intertidal zone. Polar Biology, 40 (1). 227-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1941-y

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Abstract/Summary

Many Antarctic marine invertebrates are considered to be highly stenothermal, subjected to loss of functionality at increased temperatures and so at high risk of mortality in a rapidly warming environment. The bivalve Laternula elliptica is often used as a model taxon to test these theories. Here, we report the first instance L. elliptica from an intertidal site. Genetic analysis of the tissue confirms the species identity. A total of seven animals ranging in length from 6 to 85 mm were collected from 3 × 0.25 m2 quadrats of intertidal sediments at St Martha Cove on James Ross Island, Eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Ambient temperatures of 7.5 °C within the sediment and 10 °C (air) were recorded. This raises questions as to the current perception that “many Antarctic marine invertebrates cannot adapt to higher temperatures”.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1941-y
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	ecophysiology, temperature, stenothermal, climate change, bivalve
Date made live:	13 Feb 2017 09:26 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/513422

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