First report of Laternula elliptica in the Antarctic intertidal zone

Waller, Catherine L.; Overall, Andy; Fitzcharles, Elaine M.; Griffiths, Huw

Abstract

Many Antarctic marine invertebrates are considered to be highly stenothermal, subjected to loss of functionality at increased temperatures and so at high risk of mortality in a rapidly warming environment. The bivalve Laternula elliptica is often used as a model taxon to test these theories. Here, we report the first instance L. elliptica from an intertidal site. Genetic analysis of the tissue confirms the species identity. A total of seven animals ranging in length from 6 to 85 mm were collected from 3 × 0.25 m2 quadrats of intertidal sediments at St Martha Cove on James Ross Island, Eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Ambient temperatures of 7.5 °C within the sediment and 10 °C (air) were recorded. This raises questions as to the current perception that “many Antarctic marine invertebrates cannot adapt to higher temperatures”.

Citation

Waller, C. L., Overall, A., Fitzcharles, E. M., & Griffiths, H. (2017). First report of Laternula elliptica in the Antarctic intertidal zone. Polar Biology, 40(1), 227-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1941-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 6, 2016
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Deposit Date: Jun 20, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 20, 2016
• Journal: Polar biology
• Print ISSN: 0722-4060
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-2056
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 227-230
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1941-y
• Keywords: Ecophysiology, Temperature, Stenothermal, Climate change, Bivalve
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/439899
• Publisher URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00300-016-1941-y
• Additional Information: This is a copy of an open access article from Polar biology, 2016, v.40, issue 1.