Biomass size-spectra of macrobenthic assemblages along water depth in Antarctica

Several biomass size spectra of benthic assemblages were constructed along a water depth gradient on the southern coast of Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica). The size-spectrum for shallow bottoms (200 m) zones showed unimodal spectra with biomass peaks in the 1-2 and 0.5-1 g weight ranges respectively. Filter-feeders also affected the larger size classes at intermediate depths, whereas they were almost absent in deeper waters. The slope of the normalized size-spectrum at shallower bottoms (-0.76) was different from those of intermediate (-1.25) and deeper (-1.31) zones. This clearly indicated 2 contrasting faunal strategies: a biomass increase with size in shallow waters, whereas the biomass decreased with size in deep waters. Estimates of total secondary production were calculated using allometric equations published in the literature. Results indicated a decrease of total secondary production along water depth, with 15 g C m-2 yr-1 in shallow waters, 9 g C m-2 yr-1 at intermediate bottoms and 8 g C m-2 yr-1 at deep bottoms. The pattern of the biomass size spectrum for shallower waters suggested that there was a predictable and regular supply of food, which allowed accumulation of biomass in the larger size classes corresponding to filter-feeder organisms. Conversely, the concentration of biomass in smaller size classes of the spectra for intermediate and deeper waters pointed to more unpredictable and fluctuating food conditions arriving from the overlying layer to the deeper sea floor. Sufficient evidence exists in the literature to indicate that a tight pelagic-benthic coupling was causing biological enhancement of a suspension-feeding macrofauna at shallow bottoms, and that below 100 m depth the effects of the coupling were rather weak.Versión del editor2,483

Changes in the biomass and dominant feeding mode of benthic assemblages with depth off Livingston Island (Antarctica)

To elucidate spatial assemblage patterns during 2 consecutive austral summer seasons, we sampled intensively the macrofauna from 73 stations located at the southern coast of Livingston Island. Representatives of 28 higher taxonomic groups were used for the faunal analysis. While two faunal descriptors (i.e. group richness and total biomass) changed markedly with increasing water depth, total density remained relatively constant. Sessile suspension-feeders belonging to the Ascidiacea and Porifera dominated at shallower depths (100 m) obtained 0.37 g. This faunal discontinuity, primarily influenced by depth-related variables, is suggested to be directly related to food availability.Versión del editor1,445

Quantitative analysis of macrobenthic soft-bottom assemblages in South Shetland waters (Antarctica)

Macrobenthic assemblages were investigated at 26 stations located around Livingston Island, Deception Island and the Bransfield Strait at depths ranging from 42 to 671 m. Representatives of 30 major taxa were found. The maximal density was 5,260 specimens·m−2 at Livingston Island; the mean abundance per station ranged from 160 to 4,380 specimens·m−2. The total biomass of the macrozoobenthos declined with depth, with mean values of 3,201 g·m−2 at shallower depths ( 100 m). After multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, MDS) based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarities, most stations could be assigned to one of three groups on the basis of distinct biomass differences between sites. The first cluster with a rich Ascidiacea biomass is common on shallower bottoms. The second, with Ophiuroidea as a characteristic group, is common on deeper bottoms. The absence of an ‘indicator’ taxon is characteristic of the remaining cluster of those stations with the lowest biomass values. No significant correlations were detected between macrobenthic biomass and any sediment parameters measured, probably because part of the benthos (i.e. the epifauna) could be better explained by the coupling with a highly productive water column. The role of the epi-infauna sensu Gallardo as the main factor structuring benthic assemblages in the investigated area is discussed.Versión del editor1,445