Abstract

Eleven subtropical coccolithophore species were identified in three samples taken in the austral autumn from the Weddell Sea, Antarctic, between 69°S and 70°S, just south of the Antarctic Slope Front. This is the first report of coccolithophores present at such southern latitudes. We provide three hypotheses for their occurrence in the Weddell Sea: (1) Coccolithophore species have wider temperature tolerances than previously believed. (2) Coccolithophores found in the Weddell Sea were part of a remnant community from the Agulhas Current. (3) Coccolithophores were transported by a N–S eddy crossing the Brazil–Malvinas confluence region and then subsequently transported to the east by warm water eddies of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to the study location. Further temperature tolerance experiments with coccolithophores are recommended.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.