Abstract
Exploration of the lower surface of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica by the Submersible Capable of under-Ice Navigation and Imaging (SCINI) remotely operated vehicle discovered a new species of sea anemone living in this previously undocumented ecosystem. This discovery was a significant outcome of the Coulman High Project’s geophysical and environmental fieldwork in 2010-2011 as part of the ANDRILL (ANtarctic geologic DRILLing) program. Edwardsiella andrillae n. sp., lives with most of its column in the ice shelf, with only the tentacle crown extending into the seawater below. In addition to being the only Antarctic representative of the genus, Edwardsiella andrillae is distinguished from all other species of the genus in the number of tentacles and in the size and distribution of cnidae. The anatomy and histology of Edwardsiella andrillae present no features that explain how this animal withstands the challenges of life in such an unusual habitat.
Highlights
The biota associated with glacial ice is poorly documented because the habitat is largely inaccessible and is technologically difficult to access
As part of the multi-national ANtarctic geological DRILLing (ANDRILL) program, a remotely operated vehicle called the Submersible Capable of under-Ice Navigation and Imaging (SCINI) [1] was deployed from the Ross Ice Shelf (Figure 1) through a 30-cm hole drilled by a hot water drill at two distinct locations [2]
At 77° 31.6’ S 171° 20.1’ E (Figure 1, site A), the upwardfacing cameras on SCINI captured images of a field of approximately 100 m2 inhabited by small, tentaculate animals living with most of their body inside the ice shelf, with tentacles dangling into the water below
Summary
The biota associated with glacial ice is poorly documented because the habitat is largely inaccessible and is technologically difficult to access. As part of the multi-national ANtarctic geological DRILLing (ANDRILL) program, a remotely operated vehicle called the Submersible Capable of under-Ice Navigation and Imaging (SCINI) [1] was deployed from the Ross Ice Shelf (Figure 1) through a 30-cm hole drilled by a hot water drill at two distinct locations [2] This provided an unexpected and astonishing glimpse into this subsurface world, discovering an unusual and likely unique marine biological community dominated by anemones living inside burrows in the lower surface of the ice shelf. The ice shelf is approximately 250-260 m thick at these sites; mean sea level below the ice shelf surface is approximately 40 m These animals are sea anemones of a new species, here described as Edwardsiella andrillae. As is the case in the ice worm Mesenchytraeus solifugus [17], the morphology of Edwardsiella andrillae does not suggest any adaptation to the unusual environment it inhabits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
