Some aspects on Antarctic Ascidians (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) of Potter Cove, King George Island

TATIÁN M; SAHADE R; DOUCET M; ESNAL, G

Berichte zur Polarforschung-Reports on Polar Research

Alfred Wegener Institute

Lugar: Bremerhaven; Año: 1998 vol. 299 p. 113 - 118

0176-5027

Substrate types and ice action appear to be important determinants for ascidian distribution at Potter Cove. Three different substrate types were sampled by SCUBA diving: soft bottoms, hard bottoms and moraine deposits, at depths between 0-30 m. A total of 17 ascidian species were found. Highest diversity was found in less stringent environment, where epibiosis is a commmon phenomenon on stolidobranch ascidians. Ice action may be the main factor that determines the absence of ascidians above 15 m in all the stations sampled.