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The first potentially invasive species to reach the Antarctica on drifting marine algae by Staff Writers Barcelona, Spain (SPX) Feb 03, 2020
Drifting algae in the Austral Ocean can bring invasive species to the Antarctic coasts, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The new study describes the first scientific evidence of a potentially invasive and colonial species -the marine bryozoan Membranipora membranacea- which reaches the Antarctic latitude islands in macroalgae that drift in the marine environment. The new study on biodiversity in the Antarctic ecosystems is led by the lecturer Conxita Avila, from the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio), and counts on the participation of the experts from the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the University of Hull (United Kingdom).
Passengers into the cold Now, the new article in Scientific Reports describes for the first time the arrival of organisms towards Antarctic latitudes through floating macroalgae coming from distant ecosystems in the marine environment. "Although this way of natural expansion was known in other natural ecosystems in the planet, in Antarctica, this phenomenon has taken a special scientific relevance as a potential mechanism to introduce new species in the Antarctic ecosystems", notes the lecturer Conxita Avila, from the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and IRBio. Bryozoans, molluscs, annelids, arthropods, echinoderms, cnidarians and sponges are some of the unexpected passengers that travelled thousands of kilometres on top of macroalgae that were driven by the wind and marine currents to the Antarctic and Subantarctic islands. With a laminated structure and large dimensions, these kelps -the species Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica- build submarine forests and their ecological role is crucial in the marine ecosystems as a natural refuge for a wide range of organisms (algae, fish, molluscs, etc.).
Rafting to the South "Moreover -continues Figuerola- the encrusting colonies can settle on other surfaces (plastics, boats, etc.), and plankton larvae can be transported by ballast water and survive during months. All these factors would affect the environmental balance should the species settle in Antarctica".
Antarctic Peninsula: a new area for biological invasions? "The Antarctic Peninsula is the most vulnerable area to the episodes of biological invasions through drifting waters. The geographical latitude, and closeness to terrestrial areas -South America, Scotia Arch islands, etc.- with potentially invasive species, the position of the coasts regarding the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the climate conditions are factors that would favor the arrival and colonizing success of non-native species carried by algae or plastics", notes Avila, head of the research projects Bluebio, Distantcom, Ecoquim and Actiquim, on the ecology of marine invertebrate communities in Antarctic waters. The risk of invasion by non-native species is high in volcanic areas -such as Deception Island- since its environmental conditions are more favorable. However, any coastal area without ice could be a potential area for algae to arrive and distribute these organisms. "In the context of a global change, what occurs in the Antarctic Peninsula could take place as well in other areas of the White Continent. Also, some non-native and generalist species could reach the Antarctic environment and adapt to the new environmental conditions. This could have dramatic effects on the local organisms of the marine ecosystems", notes the researcher. "The Antarctic is warming, presenting new opportunities, both caused by humans and natural, for animals and plants to enter Antarctic waters, changing the existing unique local communities forever. Our findings highlight how much easier than we previously thought it is for animals that have caused environmental damage elsewhere to reach the most extreme and remote continent on Earth. They are also a reminder that the ongoing work of scientists, in studying the biodiversity and ecology of the region, is vital in detecting these changes before these new species become established" concludes the expert Huw James Griffiths (British Antarctic Survey, BAS).
Antarctica: beyond biogeographical frontiers The authors of the study warn that, in this situation of ecological and climate change, threatened by the effects of global change, research and monitoring natural ecosystems becomes more necessary to preserve biodiversity.
Robotic submarine snaps first-ever images at foundation of notorious Antarctic glacier Atlanta, GA (SPX) Feb 03, 2020 During an unprecedented scientific campaign on an Antarctic glacier notorious for contributions to sea-level, researchers took first-ever images at the glacier's foundations on the ocean floor. The area is key to Thwaites Glacier's potential to become more dangerous, and in the coming months, the research team hopes to give the world a clearer picture of its condition. The images, taken by a robotic underwater vehicle, were part of a broad set of data collected in a variety of experiments by an in ... read more
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