Population dynamics of marine benthic invertebrates in Antarctic and subantarctic environments: are there unique adaptations?

Brey, Thomas; Clarke, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7582-3074. 1993 Population dynamics of marine benthic invertebrates in Antarctic and subantarctic environments: are there unique adaptations? Antarctic Science, 5 (03). 253-266. 10.1017/S0954102093000343

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102093000343

Abstract/Summary

Data on the growth (20 species) and productivity (19 species) of Antarctic and subantarctic macrobenthos were compiled from published and unpublished sources. Differences in the production/biomass (P/B) ratio between Antarctic, Arctic and non-polar populations were examined using a set of 363 data arrays (327 non-polar, 26 Antarctic, 10 Arctic). Each array contained annual P/B ratio, mean individual body mass, geographical latitude, water depth, bottom water temperature and the nominal variables TAXON (Mollusca, Crustacea, Polychaeta, Echinodermata) and REGION (Antarctic, Arctic, non-polar). The P/B ratio was found to vary with body mass, taxon, temperature and water depth. P/B ratios of Antarctic and Arctic populations were significantly lower than those of non-polar populations. For Antarctic populations this difference could be explained completely by the effects of temperature and water depth. The strikingly high biomass of many Antarctic benthic communities is probably related to adaptations to low and oscillating food levels, and particularly to the low maintenance energy requirement associated with the low ambient temperature.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S0954102093000343
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Pre 2000 programme
ISSN:	0954-1020
Additional Keywords:	benthic invertebrates, population dynamics, P/B ratio, Antarctica
Date made live:	17 Aug 2017 10:57 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517618

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1017/S0954102093000343

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Pre 2000 programme

ISSN:

0954-1020

Additional Keywords:

benthic invertebrates, population dynamics, P/B ratio, Antarctica

Date made live:

17 Aug 2017 10:57 +0 (UTC)