The Expedition of the Research Vessel "Polarstern" to the Antarctic in 2011 (ANT-XXVII/3) (CAMBIO). Thermal tolerance of live history stages and their relevance for the biodiversity and biogeography of decapod crustaceans.

DANIELA STORCH; RAPHAELA KATHOVER; WOLF E. ARNTZ; LOVRICH, GUSTAVO A.; ROMERO, M. CAROLINA; SCHVEZOV, NATASHA

2011-02-08/2011-04-18

76-79

Biológica

Rec.Nat.Renov.-Conservacion y preservacion

The King crabs (Lithodidae), which can be found in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters, mainly show lecithotrophy with abbreviated larval developmental modes and might be able to recolonize Antarctic waters. Warming, especially along the Antarctic Peninsula, opens up the possibility of extinct species like the reptant decapod crustaceans to recolonize Antarctic waters. The Scotia Arc and Bouvet Island could be potential invasion ways for the recolonization of cold adapted sub-Antarctic species. The aim of this proposal is to detect the distribution and biodiversity of the decapod crustaceans along the Scotia Arc, Weddell Sea and Bouvet Island, to test the thermal tolerance of various stages by sampling all life history stages, including eggs, larval stages and adult species. Benthic and pelagic crustaceans were sampled by means of bottom and Agassiz trawls as well as Bongo nets. Crustaceans were preserved in ethanolfor identification by DNA barcoding and/or morphological at AWI. Animals were kept in a temperature-controlled aquariumwith air-saturated seawater. Arterial PO2 was monitored on-line in the pericardialsinus by implanted optodes (PreSens, Neuburg/Donau, Germany). Heart andventilation activity were monitored by gluing Photoplethysmographs (isiTEC) ontothe carapace above the heart and on both sides below the scaphognathite. Datawere recorded by a MacLab system (AD Instruments).