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Record Search Query:

The ecology and physiology of Antarctic invertebrates at Cape Bird

Entry ID: K140_1997_2000_NZ_1

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Summary

Abstract: The effect of temperature on the terrestrial arthropod fauna at Cape Bird was investigated. The work was carried out over three field season and the site was visited for three periods during each field season (October, December and February). Samples were collected of both mites and springtails from Keble Valley (Caughley Beach, SSSI No.10, Cape Bird) and frozen and returned to New Zealand for ... analysis of ployol cryoprotectants and thermal hysteresis (antifreeze proteins) and microscopic analysis of age, sex and gut contents. An HPLC system to examine sugar alcohol cryoprotectants and the splat freezing technique were used to screen for ice active proteins. The supercooling point (the temperature at which their bodies freeze) of both springtails and mites was determined for different periods during the season. Invertebrate samples were removed to measure water content of invertebrates bodies to investigate the effects of surface water on cold tolerance of this species. A cloche (small greenhouses) experiments was installed and the invertebrate population within was monitored over the three seasons to study responses to temperature changes expected from global warming. Micro arthropods populations were removed from the soil and from the ground surface and rocks, sorted, counted and measured. A map was made of the pattern and longevity of snow banks and the whole study site was mapped (450m2 to c10cm resolution). The habitat requirements and the factors affecting invertebrate distribution were investigated at two scales: a transect across a stream in November (before snowmelt) and January (after snowmelt) and a broadscale survey to cover a representation of ice free areas. The ability of springtails to live in dry or salty habitats was determined The wider icefree area was surveyed (rock undersides and soil samples) with a sampling trip in the area near Harrison Bluff, South of Cape Bird southern rookery and Shell Glacier. The hameolymph concentrations (an indication of the quantity of carbohydrate cryoprotectants and other solutes in the animals blood) and the thermal hysteresis (indicative of the presence of antifreeze proteins) in mites and springtails was investigated. The distribution of invertebrates was studied by setting out sticky traps to intercept windborne animals, placing a drift net across a stream to capture water dispersed animals and checking the feet of penguins in the area for micro invertebrates. A data logger was installed to measure air temperatures and soil temperatures (at five different depths) throughout the year to determine relationships with the temperatures that the mites and springtails experience.

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Description: LGP-Latitudinal Gradient Project

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -77.14

S: -77.14

E: 166.4

W: 166.4

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1997-11-03

Stop Date: 2000-02-05

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > CAPE BIRD

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

CRYOSPHERE > FROZEN GROUND > SOIL TEMPERATURE

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > ARTHROPODS > CHELICERATES > ARACHNIDS

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

OCEANS

Project

LGP > Latitudinal Gradient Project

EBA > Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic

Quality All collected specimens are held by the Otago Museum in Dunedin, New Zealand. Specimens are preserved in ethanol and are accompanied by both hard and electronic inventories and descriptions of the data. For more information, please contact:

Cody Fraser
Registrar - Natural Sciences
Otago Museum
PO Box 6202
Dunedin 9059, New Zealand
Ph: (03) 474 7474 ext 862
Fax: (03) 477 5993
Email: Cody.Fraser@otagomuseum.govt.nz
www.otagomuseum.govt.nz

Ancillary Keywords

Springtails

Insecta

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

BRENT J SINCLAIR

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: +1-519-661-2111 Ext 83138

Fax: +1-519-661-3935

Email: bsincla7 at uwo.ca

Contact Address:

Department of Biology

Room 2078, Biological & Geological Sciences Building

1151 Richmond St North

University of Western Ontario

City: London

Province or State: Ontario

Postal Code: N6A-5B7

Country: Canada

SHULAMIT GORDON

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

Publications/References

Sinclair, B.J. 1998. Cloche experiments at high latitudes: Investigating microarthropod response to elevated temperatures at Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica. NZ Nat. Sci. 23 (suppl): 185

Sinclair, B.J. Sjursen, H. Terrestrial invertebrate abundance across a habitat transect in Keble Valley, Ross Island, Antarctica. Pedobiologia 45: 134-145, 2001.

Sinclair, B.J. ...

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2005-03-15

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-05-11

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