Changes in nematode community after ice-shelf disintegration in Larsen B, Antarctic Peninsula: comparison 2007-2011
Ballesteros Redondo, L. (2014). Changes in nematode community after ice-shelf disintegration in Larsen B, Antarctic Peninsula: comparison 2007-2011. MSc Thesis. Universiteit Antwerpen/Universiteit Gent/VUB: Antwerpen, Gent, Brussel. 15, 27 pp.
The aim of this study was to provide insights on how nematode communities are responding to large-scale ice-shelf collapse in the Antarctic Peninsula region by comparing published data from 2007 with new material from 2011. Changes in the nematode community of two stations in the Larsen B area were investigated, where large part of the original ice shelf disintegrated in 2002. Both stations, B.South and B.West, were selected because they showed most divergent communities in 2007. In 2007 and in 2011 the genus Microlaimus was dominant in the outer station B.South, and Halomonhystera in the inner station B.West. Population densities increased drastically in B.West between 2007 and 2011 due to an increase in the genus Halomonhystera. Results may suggest that changes in nematode densities might be due to enhanced food supply because of longer ice-free periods but taking into consideration that there are other factors taking place.
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