Signy Island Research Articles

Iron localization inAcarosporacolonizing schist on Signy Island

AbstractA small, inconspicuous lichen,Acarosporacf.badiofusca, was discovered colonizing iron-stained quartz mica schists on the lower slope of Manhaul Rock, a recently exposed nunatak on the McLeod Glacier, Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Thallus colour ranged from rust on exposed rock surfaces to paler orange and green in shaded crevices. This study addressed the hypothesis that colour reflects element localization, and considered substance localization within lichen tissues and responses to stress. Electron microprobe analysis of specimens confirmed that Fe is localized principally in the outer rust-coloured part of the cortex, confirming that the colour reflects Fe localization. Oxalates, widely reported as contributing to tolerance mechanisms to environmental stress, were not detected using X-ray diffraction. The upper thallus surface consisted of sub-micron particulate phases containing Fe, Al and O, suggesting mixed oxide/hydroxide phases are present and play a role in photoprotection.

An unusual hermaphrodite reproductive trait in the Antarctic brooding bivalve Lissarca miliaris (Philobryidae) from the Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean

The Antarctic marine environment is extreme in its low temperatures and short periods of primary productivity. Invertebrates must therefore adapt to maximise reproductive output where low temperature and limited food slow larval development. Brooding is a common reproductive trait in Antarctic marine bivalves; larval development occurs within the mantle cavity, and larvae are released as fully developed young. Lissarca miliaris is a small, short-lived, shallow-water brooding bivalve of circum-Antarctic distribution and found most abundant in the sub-Antarctic Magellan Region and islands of the Scotia Arc. Here, an unusual hermaphrodite reproductive trait is described for L. miliaris from King George Island (62°14′S, 58°38′W) and Signy Island (60°42′S, 45°36′W), Antarctica, using histological and dissection techniques. Specimens demonstrate simultaneous and sequential hermaphrodite traits; male and female gonads develop simultaneously, but the production of oocytes is reduced while testes are ripe. Functional females are more abundant in specimens above 3 mm shell length, although male reproductive tissue persists and functional males are found in all size classes. The number of previtellogenic oocytes produced by far exceeds the number of oocytes extruded and brooded, which may indicate an ancestral link to a planktotrophic past. Hermaphroditism in L. miliaris maximises reproductive efficiency in a short-lived species, in which the female’s capacity to brood its young is limited, and demonstrates a specialised adaptation to a cold stenothermal and food-limited environment prevailing in the Southern Ocean.

Warming constrains bacterial community responses to nutrient inputs in a southern, but not northern, maritime Antarctic soil

We investigated the effects of increased soil temperature, water and nutrient availability on soil bacterial communities at Wynn Knolls on Signy Island (60 °S) in the northern maritime Antarctic and at Mars Oasis (71 °S) in the southern maritime Antarctic. After 10–12 months, analyses of the concentrations of ester linked fatty acids (ELFAs) in soil indicated that bacterial communities responded positively to single applications of substrates at both locations, with 20% and 49% increases in total Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial markers, respectively, in response to the application of tryptic soy broth (TSB; a complex substrate containing organic carbon and nitrogen, plus other nutrient elements) at Wynn Knolls, and 120% and 44% increases in Gram positive bacterial markers at Mars Oasis in response to the application of TSB and the amino acid glycine (a relatively simple source of organic carbon and nitrogen), respectively. Responses to the warming treatment were not detected at Wynn Knolls, where open top chambers (OTCs) increased mean monthly soil temperatures by up to 0.7 °C, but at Mars Oasis, where OTCs increased monthly soil temperatures by up to 2.4 °C, warming led to 41% and 46% reductions in the concentrations of Gram positive bacterial markers in soil to which glycine and TSB had been applied, respectively. Warming also led to 55% and 51% reductions in the ratio of Gram positive to Gram negative markers in soils at Mars Oasis to which glycine and TSB had been applied. These data suggest that warming may constrain the responses of bacterial communities to carbon and nitrogen inputs arising from dead plant matter entering maritime Antarctic soils in future decades.

On the factors affecting distributions of freshwater diatom species in a remote South Atlantic archipelago

Diatom species distributions on remote islands are influenced by both habitat quality and location. In this study diatom distributions and water quality were explored in the Falkland Islands archipelago with reference to island floras elsewhere, using 28 freshwater sites (small ponds, shallow lowland lakes, upland tarns and several streams). Site water chemistries varied from strongly acid to circum-neutral and from low to high conductivity and water-colour. Dissolved ions co-varied with conductivity and varied strongly between sites and ion ratios indicated a strong influence of sea-salt deposition. Canonical Correspondence Analysis of the diatom and environmental data revealed three groups of sites, (1) high water-colour and low pH, (2) low conductivity and low water-colour, and (3) high conductivity and higher pH. Diatom species frequency abundances were most strongly influenced by water conductivity and pH. Diatom assemblages were composed of both cosmopolitan and regionally endemic Subantarctic species. Water chemistry was a weak predictor of diatom diversity but sites with more regionally endemic species tended also to have more cosmopolitan species. Taxonomic harmonization allowed species comparisons to be made with diatom assemblages on two islands elsewhere, Signy Island (Antarctica) and South Uist (Scottish Outer Hebrides). Detrended Correspondence Analysis of the species data from these three locations strongly discriminated the Signy Island sites and Subantarctic species characterized the Falkland Islands samples. Regionally endemic species groups within the Subantarctic zone were configured by biogeographical controls on dispersal, as well as by habitat selection and water quality. Variance partitioning showed that water chemistry and spatial (location) variables were both highly significant in accounting for similar proportions of unique variance in the combined island-species dataset. Despite overall low diversity, Subantarctic species are an important floral component and need to be incorporated into global freshwater diatom diversity patterns by using species-sensitive and carefully harmonized datasets.

The non-native chironomid Eretmoptera murphyi in Antarctica: erosion of the barriers to invasion

Antarctica is the continent least affected by invasive species, but climate change and increasing human activity are increasing this threat. Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems generally have low biodiversity with simple community structures and little competition for resources. Consequently, species with pre-adaptations or capabilities that allow them to tolerate polar conditions may have disproportionately large ecosystem impacts when introduced to Antarctica compared with other regions of the Earth. Here we investigate the invasion risk associated with the flightless chironomid midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, which was accidentally introduced from South Georgia (54°S) to Signy Island, South Orkney Islands (61°S), probably during plant transplantation experiments in the 1960s. Larval size class distribution analysis indicated that E. murphyi has a 2 year life cycle on Signy Island, supporting previous suggestions. Estimates of litter turnover show that recent large increases in E. murphyi population density and extent are likely to increase nutrient cycling rates on Signy Island substantially. Existing physiological adaptations may allow E. murphyi to colonise higher latitude locations. Growth rate and microhabitat climatic modelling show that temperature constraints on larval development on Anchorage Island (68°S) are theoretically similar to those on Signy Island even though it is ~750 km further south. Establishment of this non-native midge at climatically similar intervening locations along the western Antarctic Peninsula is therefore plausible. Currently, lack of effective natural dispersal mechanisms is probably limiting the spread of the midge. However, dispersal to other areas of the Antarctic Peninsula may occur via human-assisted transportation, highlighting the importance of appropriate biosecurity measures.

Carbon isotope evidence for recent climate-related enhancement of CO 2 assimilation and peat accumulation rates in Antarctica.

Signy Island, maritime Antarctic, lies within the region of the Southern Hemisphere that is currently experiencing the most rapid rates of environmental change. In this study, peat cores up to 2m in depth from four moss banks on Signy Island were used to reconstruct changes in moss growth and climatic characteristics over the late Holocene. Measurements included radiocarbon dating (to determine peat accumulation rates) and stable carbon isotope composition of moss cellulose (to estimate photosynthetic limitation by CO 2 supply and model CO 2 assimilation rate). For at least one intensively 14 C-dated Chorisodontium aciphyllum moss peat bank, the vertical accumulation rate of peat was 3.9mmyr-1 over the last 30years. Before the industrial revolution, rates of peat accumulation in all cores were much lower, at around 0.6-1mmyr-1 . Carbon-13 discrimination (Δ), corrected for background and anthropogenic source inputs, was used to develop a predictive model for CO 2 assimilation. Between 1680 and 1900, there had been a gradual increase in Δ, and hence assimilation rate. Since 1800, assimilation has also been stimulated by the changes in atmospheric CO 2 concentration, but a recent decline in Δ (over the past 50-100years) can perhaps be attributed to documented changes in temperature and/or precipitation. The overall increase in CO 2 assimilation rate (13 C proxy) and enhanced C accumulation (14 C proxy) are consistent with warmer and wetter conditions currently generating higher growth rates than at any time in the past three millennia, with the decline in Δ perhaps compensated by a longer growing season.

Pre-adapted to the maritime Antarctic? – Rapid cold hardening of the midge, Eretmoptera murphyi

During the 1960s, the midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, was transferred from sub-Antarctic South Georgia (55oS 37oW) where it is endemic to a single location on maritime Antarctic Signy Island (60oS 45oW). Its distribution has since expanded considerably, suggesting that it is pre-adapted to the more severe conditions further south. To test one aspect of the level of its pre-adaptation, the rapid cold hardening (RCH) response in this species was investigated. When juvenile (L1–L2) and mature (L3–L4) larvae of E. murphyi were directly exposed to progressively lower temperatures for 8h, they exhibited Discriminating Temperatures (DTemp, temperature at which there is 10–20% survival of exposed individuals) of −11.5 and −12.5°C, respectively. The mean SCP was above −7.5°C in both larval groups, confirming the finding of previous studies that this species is freeze-tolerant. Following gradual cooling (0.2°Cmin−1), survival was significantly greater at the DTemp in both larval groups. The response was strong, lowering the lower lethal temperature (LLT) by up to 6.5°C and maintaining survival above 80% for at least 22h at the DTemp. RCH was also exhibited during the cooling phase of an ecologically relevant thermoperiodic cycle (+4°C to −3°C). Mechanistically, the response did not affect freezing, with no alteration in the supercooling point (SCP) found following gradual cooling, and was not induced while the organism was in a frozen state. These results are discussed in light of E. murphyi’s pre-adaptation to conditions on Signy Island and its potential to colonize regions further south in the maritime Antarctic.

Primary succession of lichen and bryophyte communities following glacial recession on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Maritime Antarctic

AbstractA directional primary succession with moderate species replacement was quantitatively characterized on Signy Island in zones of a glacial valley corresponding to their age since deglaciation. A continuous increase in diversity and abundance of lichens and bryophytes was observed between terrains deglaciated in the late 20th century, to areas where deglaciation followed the Little Ice Age, and others thought to be ice-free since soon after the Last Glacial Maximum. Classification (UPGMA) and ordination (principal co-ordinate analysis) of vegetation data identified three different stages of development: a) pioneer communities, which rapidly develop in a few decades, b) immature communities developing on three to four century old terrains, and c) a climax stage (Polytrichum strictum-Chorisodontium aciphyllum community) developing on the oldest terrains, but only where local-scale environmental features are more favourable. Multivariate analysis including environmental parameters (canonical correspondence analysis) indicated terrain age as being the dominant controlling factor, with other environmental factors also exhibiting significant conditional effects (duration of snow cover, surface stoniness). These findings not only quantitatively verify reports of the rapid colonization of Maritime Antarctic terrains following recent climate amelioration and associated decrease in glacial extent, but also show how local-scale environmental resistance may slow or even prevent vegetation succession from pioneer to more mature stages in future.

Vomit or Flush? Diet analysis using samples from spontaneous regurgitates or the water-off-load technique

Several methods, each with specific advantages and disadvantages, are frequently used to obtain diet samples from seabirds. The collection of regurgitates (REG) as well as samples from the stomach water-off-load (WOL) or flushing technique are some of the most commonly used approaches. During the Austral breeding season of 2005/06 diet samples from Cape Petrel Daption capense and Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea were collected at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. Primarily, diet samples were obtained by stomach flushing but occasionally (8 Snow Petrels and 12 Cape Petrels) birds spontaneously regurgitated their stomach contents before flushing. These regurgitates were sampled completely and stored separately. Afterwards the remainder of the bird’s stomach contents was flushed. By doing so, a comparison could then be made between the REG samples and the total stomach contents (REG+WOL). In the REG samples of both species the fraction of fish was underestimated and the fraction of crustaceans overestimated compared to the REG+WOL samples. This study shows that methodology-specific outcomes are potentially to be expected when doing dietary research. Using REG samples is shown not to be suitable for quantitative assessments of the diets of petrels. The WOL technique, which collects the entire stomach content, suits this purpose better.

Spatial and temporal variability of ground surface temperature and active layer thickness at the margin of maritime Antarctica, Signy Island

A CALM grid with a data logger system to monitor the active layer thermal regime was established on Signy Island (60°43′S, 45°38′W at 80m a.s.l.) in December 2005. The active layer at each of the 36 nodes of the grid was monitored measuring the ground temperature at least at 4 different depths between 0.02 and 0.4m at the end of the summer season. In addition, within the grid, we selected four sites closely spaced (in a ray of 25m) three of which with the same topographical characteristics (north facing aspect) but different vegetation coverage (one bare ground, BG1 and two sites with different vegetation: Andreaea sp. and Sanionia uncinata) and the fourth (BG2) it is as BG1 a bare ground but with south facing aspect. In particular, 4 thermistors were located at depths of 0.02, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9m at BG2 and at the Andreaea sp site, 9 thermistors at 0.02, 0.3, 0.6, 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 2, and 2.5m at BG1 and at 0.02 and 0.6m of depth at Sanionia site. Generally, with the same aspect, a thick vegetation cover (as in Sanionia site) provides a greater insulative effect than a thinner vegetation cover (as in Andreaea site) or bare ground (BG1) because vegetation both shades and insulates the ground resulting in a reduction in summer heat flux.Ground Surface Temperature (GST) was colder and more buffered in spring and summer under the vegetated ground than in BG1, although the coldest GST and lowest Thawing Degree Days (TDD) were recorded at BG2 and related to its southern aspect. Our data confirm that air temperature is the main driver of GST, as already reported both in the Arctic and Antarctic. We also found that the effect of air temperature changes seasonally, being drastically reduced in winter and, to a lesser extent, in fall and spring, when there is generally thin snow cover (<30cm). During the summer, when snow cover is usually absent, the air temperature is the dominant driver, although incoming radiation also had an effect on the northern exposed bare ground and to a lesser extent on the vegetated and southerly exposed bare ground.The active layer ranges between 81 and 185cm on the 4 continuously monitored sites and, considering the sites with the same aspect, it is thicker under bare ground (between 10% up to more than 100%) than under vegetated ground, confirming previous observations in the Arctic and Antarctic. However at our sites, climate forcing has no effect on the active layer thickness, enhancing the role of soil properties including the periods of high moisture content and lateral flow of water.The lack of a statistically significant regressions between GST and active layer thickness could be due to the limited study period (four years) and/or to the variation with time of changes in soil characteristics such as soil moisture, and the possible occurrence of non-conductive heat transfer processes including the lateral flow of water.Further data are required to understand the role of moisture and possible ground water circulation within the active layer to explain the unexpected strong dichotomy between the GST regime and active layer thickness.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate production by antarctic soil bacteria isolated from Casey Station and Signy Island

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a family of biopolymers produced by some bacteria and is accumulated intracellularly as carbon and energy storage material. Fifteen PHA-producing bacterial strains were identified from bacteria isolated from Antarctic soils collected around Casey Station (66°17′S, 110°32′E) and Signy Island (60°45′S, 45°36′W). Screening for PHA production was carried out by incubating the isolates in PHA production medium supplemented with 0.5% (w/v) sodium octanoate or glucose. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolated PHA-producing strains were mainly Pseudomonas spp. and a few were Janthinobacterium spp. All the isolated Pseudomonas strains were able to produce medium-chain-length (mcl) PHA using fatty acids as carbon source, while some could also produce mcl-PHA by using glucose. The Janthinobacterium strains could only utilize glucose to produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). A Pseudomonas isolate, UMAB-40, accumulated PHA up to 48% cell dry mass when utilizing fatty acids as carbon source. This high accumulation occurred at between 5°C and 20°C, then decreased with increasing temperatures. Highly unsaturated mcl-PHA was produced by UMAB-40 from glucose. Such characteristics may be associated with the ability of UMAB-40 to survive in the cold.

Soil- and enantiomer-specific metabolism of amino acids and their peptides by Antarctic soil microorganisms

Most nitrogen (N) enters many Arctic and Antarctic soil ecosystems as protein. Soils in these polar environments frequently contain large stocks of proteinaceous organic matter, which has decomposed slowly due to low temperatures. In addition to proteins, considerable quantities of d-amino acids and their peptides enter soil from bacteria and lengthy residence times can lead to racemisation of l-amino acids in stored proteins. It has been predicted that climate warming in polar environments will lead to increased rates of soil organic N turnover (i.e. amino acids and peptides of both enantiomers). However, our understanding of organic N breakdown in these soils is very limited. To address this, we tested the influence of chain length and enantiomeric composition on the rate of breakdown of amino acids and peptides in three contrasting tundra soils formed under the grass, moss or lichen-dominated primary producer communities of Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands. Both d- and l-enantiomers of the amino acid monomer were rapidly mineralized to CO 2 at rates in line with those found for l-amino acids in many other terrestrial ecosystems. In all three soils, l-peptides were decomposed faster than their amino acid monomer, suggesting a different route of microbial assimilation and catabolism. d-peptides followed the same mineralization pattern as l-peptides in the two contrasting soils under grass and lichens, but underwent relatively slow decomposition in the soil underneath moss, which was similar to the soil under the grass. We conclude that the decomposition of peptides of l-amino acids may be widely conserved amongst soil microorganisms, whereas the decomposition of peptides of d-amino acids may be altered by subtle differences between soils. We further conclude that intense competition exists in soil microbial communities for the capture of both peptides and amino acids produced from protein breakdown.

Seasonal evolution of the upper-ocean adjacent to the South Orkney Islands, Southern Ocean: Results from a “lazy biological mooring”

A serendipitous >8-month time series of hydrographic properties was obtained from the vicinity of the South Orkney Islands, Southern Ocean, by tagging a southern elephant seal ( Mirounga leonina) on Signy Island with a Conductivity–Temperature–Depth/Satellite-Relay Data Logger (CTD–SRDL) in March 2007. Such a time series (including data from the austral autumn and winter) would have been extremely difficult to obtain via other means, and it illustrates with unprecedented temporal resolution the seasonal progression of upper-ocean water mass properties and stratification at this location. Sea ice production values of around 0.15–0.4 m month −1 for April to July were inferred from the progression of salinity, with significant levels still in September (around 0.2 m month −1). However, these values presume that advective processes have negligible effect on the salinity changes observed locally; this presumption is seen to be inappropriate in this case, and it is argued that the ice production rates inferred are better considered as “smeared averages” for the region of the northwestern Weddell Sea upstream from the South Orkneys. The impact of such advective effects is illustrated by contrasting the observed hydrographic series with the output of a one-dimensional model of the upper-ocean forced with local fluxes. It is found that the difference in magnitude between local (modelled) and regional (inferred) ice production is significant, with estimates differing by around a factor of two. A halo of markedly low sea ice concentration around the South Orkneys during the austral winter offers at least a partial explanation for this, since it enabled stronger atmosphere/ocean fluxes to persist and hence stronger ice production to prevail locally compared with the upstream region. The year of data collection was an El Niño year, and it is well-established that this phenomenon can impact strongly on the surface ocean and ice field in this sector of the Southern Ocean, thus the possibility of our time series being atypical cannot be ruled out. Longer-term collection of in situ ocean data from this locality would be desirable, to address issues relating to interannual variability and long-term change.

FOUR NEW NON-MARINE DIATOM TAXA FROM THE SUBANTARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC REGIONS

A recent survey of the non-marine diatoms from islands in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (King George Island, Deception Island, Livingston Island, James Ross Island, Signy Island, South Georgia and Beak Island) resulted in the description of four new diatom species: Chamaepinnularia gerlachei Van de Vijver & Sterken sp. nov., Craticula antarctica Van de Vijver & Sabbe sp. nov., Craticula subpampeana Van de Vijver & Sterken sp. nov. and Diadesmis australis Van de Vijver & Sabbe sp. nov. The morphology of each species is described on the basis of light and electron microscopy. The new species are compared to similar taxa, especially to those present in the Subantarctic and Antarctic Region. Preliminary observations on the ecology and biogeography of each species are provided.

Changes in lichen diversity and community structure with fur seal population increase on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands

AbstractSigny Island has experienced a dramatic increase in fur seal numbers over recent decades, which has led to the devastation of lowland terrestrial vegetation, with the eradication of moss turfs and carpets being the most prominent feature. Here we demonstrate that fur seals also affect the other major component of this region’s typical cryptogamic vegetation, the lichens, although with a lower decrease in variability and abundance than for bryophytes. Classification (UPGMA) and ordination (Principal Coordinate Analysis) of vegetation data highlight differences in composition and abundance of lichen communities between areas invaded by fur seals and contiguous areas protected from these animals. Multivariate analysis relating lichen communities to environmental parameters, including animal abundance and soil chemistry (Canonical Correspondence Analysis), suggests that fur seal trampling results in the destruction of muscicolous-terricolous lichens, including several cosmopolitan and bipolar fruticose species. In addition, animal excretion favours an increase in nitrophilous crustose species, a group which typically characterizes areas influenced by seabirds and includes several Antarctic endemics. The potential effect of such animal-driven changes in vegetation on the fragile terrestrial ecosystem (e.g. through modification of the ground surface temperature) confirms the importance of indirect environmental processes in Antarctica.

Strong Population Genetic Structure in a Broadcast-Spawning Antarctic Marine Invertebrate

Although studies of population genetic structure are commonplace, a strong bias exists toward species from low latitudes and with relatively poor dispersal capabilities. Consequently, we used 280 amplified fragment length polymorphism bands to explore patterns of genetic differentiation among 8 populations of a high latitude broadcast-spawning marine mollusc, the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. Over 300 individuals were sampled along a latitudinal gradient spanning the Antarctic Peninsula from Adelaide Island to King George Island (67°-62°S), then to Signy Island (60°S) and South Georgia (54°S). Populations from the Antarctic Peninsula exhibited little genetic structure but were themselves strongly differentiated from both Signy and South Georgia. This finding was analytically highly robust and implies the presence of significant oceanographic barriers to gene flow in a species long regarded as a classic example of a widely dispersing broadcast spawner.

Post-breeding dispersal of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) nesting at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands

ARGOS satellite telemetry and Global Location Sensors (geolocators) were used to identify the moult locations and the winter foraging dispersal of Adelie penguins after they left their breeding colonies on Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands. Animals were tracked during the period December 2004 to October 2005. All birds displayed a similar pattern of migratory behaviour, remaining away from colonies for approximately 9 months, at distances of up to 2,235 km. Moult locations were within the pack ice. Mean daily travel speeds to the moult locations were significantly faster when moving through open water than through pack ice. Moult occurred during February/March within a narrow latitudinal range (65–71°S), at a mean distance of 126 km from the ice edge; the mean duration of individual moult was c. 18.6 days. After moult, penguins spent the subsequent winter months moving north or north-eastward within the expanding winter pack ice, at a mean distance of 216 km from the ice edge, and in areas with ice cover >80%. The penguins returned to the vicinity of their colony between September 26 and October 22, 2005. This dependence of Adelie penguins on sea ice habitat suggests that any further reductions in sea ice extent in the Weddell Sea region would potentially have important impacts on the population processes of this pagophilic species.

Eretmoptera murphyi: pre-adapted to survive a colder climate

During the late 1960s, larvae of the flightless midge Eretmoptera murphyi Schaeffer were accidentally transferred from the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia to Signy Island in the maritime Antarctic. Higher insects are rare in the Antarctic and the introduction and establishment of a new species is an unusual event. The fly has overcome the two major barriers to colonization of the Antarctic by new species: the geographical isolation of the region and its severe climate. Larvae of the flightless midge overwinter in the surface layers of soil on Signy Island where the temperature may fall to below −10 °C, compared with as little as −1.5 °C on South Georgia. This suggests the possession of a level of pre-adaption to colder conditions. Summer-collected larvae have a supercooling point (SCP or whole body freezing point) of approximately −5.0 °C but survive experimental exposure to −13 °C, giving them a level of freeze tolerance. After acclimation at −4 °C for 4 days, the SCP changes little but the temperature at which 50% of the population would die decreases to lower than −19 °C. Larvae are also resistant to dehydration. Under experimental conditions of 88% relative humidity at 5 °C, larvae lose water linearly (0.42% h−1) over the first 30 h but resist further water loss once their water content decreases to approximately 1.4 g g−1 dry weight. All larvae survive these conditions for the duration of the experiment (55 h). Eretmoptera murphyi is well adapted to survive on Signy Island, and these studies suggest that it has the ability to survive at more extreme locations at higher latitudes if it were to be inadvertently transferred to a suitable habitat.

High levels of spatial heterogeneity in the biodiversity of soil prokaryotes on Signy Island, Antarctica

In a previous study, soil bacterial diversity at environmentally distinct locations on Signy Island was examined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling, and a range of chemical variables in soils was determined in order to describe variations between them. The dominant bacterial communities of all locations were found to be significantly different, although higher levels of similarity were observed between locations with similar physico-chemical characteristics, such as at penguin rookeries, seal wallows and vegetated soils. Extending this study, here soil prokaryote biodiversity was compared between 15 distinct locations in order to elucidate any interaction between four general habitat types on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands, maritime Antarctic) and any influence of previous human impacts at these sites. Specific sites were selected to represent the range of different soil environments present and to cover a range of environmental factors present in the maritime Antarctic which are known to influence bacterial community composition in soils elsewhere. A diverse prokaryote community is described, again with the majority of excised and sequenced bands belonging to the Bacteroidetes. Although DGGE profiling identified significant differences in prokaryotic biodiversity between all sampling sites, aggregations of banding patterns were also apparent across the different soil environments examined. Correlations between specific DGGE profiles and 10 selected soil parameters suggested that much of this variation could be explained by differences in the levels of environmental disturbance and soil pH. In particular, a greater proportion of variation in soil bacterial diversity was explained by differences in soil properties at human-disturbed locations than at undisturbed locations, with higher explanatory values by edaphic factors in the former and soil metal content in the later. In general, our data indicate that small-scale variation is an important factor in understanding patterns of prokaryotic distributions in soil habitats in the maritime Antarctic environment.

Temperature adaptation of soil bacterial communities along an Antarctic climate gradient: predicting responses to climate warming

AbstractSoil microorganisms, the central drivers of terrestrial Antarctic ecosystems, are being confronted with increasing temperatures as parts of the continent experience considerable warming. Here we determined short‐term temperature dependencies of Antarctic soil bacterial community growth rates, using the leucine incorporation technique, in order to predict future changes in temperature sensitivity of resident soil bacterial communities. Soil samples were collected along a climate gradient consisting of locations on the Antarctic Peninsula (Anchorage Island, 67 °34′S, 68 °08′W), Signy Island (60 °43′S, 45 °38′W) and the Falkland Islands (51 °76′S 59 °03′W). At each location, experimental plots were subjected to warming by open top chambers (OTCs) and paired with control plots on vegetated and fell‐field habitats. The bacterial communities were adapted to the mean annual temperature of their environment, as shown by a significant correlation between the mean annual soil temperature and the minimum temperature for bacterial growth (Tmin). Every 1 °C rise in soil temperature was estimated to increase Tmin by 0.24–0.38 °C. The optimum temperature for bacterial growth varied less and did not have as clear a relationship with soil temperature. Temperature sensitivity, indicated by Q10 values, increased with mean annual soil temperature, suggesting that bacterial communities from colder regions were less temperature sensitive than those from the warmer regions. The OTC warming (generally &lt;1 °C temperature increases) over 3 years had no effects on temperature relationship of the soil bacterial community. We estimate that the predicted temperature increase of 2.6 °C for the Antarctic Peninsula would increase Tmin by 0.6–1 °C and Q10 (0–10 °C) by 0.5 units.