Abstract
We examined deep-sea epibenthic sledge isopod data from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (SO) (depth range=742–5,191 m). Samples were taken during the expeditions EASIZ II (ANT XV-3) in 1998 and ANDEEP I and II (ANT XIX3/4) in 2002. A total of 471 isopod species were recorded from 28 sites. The species richness of the epibenthic sledge samples was highly variable (6–82 species). Species richness was highest at site 131-3 in 3,053 m depth in the north-eastern Weddell Sea. The highest numbers of species were sampled in the middle depth range and lower species richness was found in the shallower and deeper parts of the study area. Depth is suggested to explain isopod species richness better than both latitude and longitude. Between 58°S and 65°S, the number of species ranged from 9 to 82 (mean=35.9). Further south in the Weddell Sea, between 73°S and 74°S, species richness was lower and the number of species ranged from 6 to 35 (mean=19.2). With regard to longitude, the highest species richness (up to 82 species) was found between 50°W and 60°W in the area of the South Shetland Islands and around the Antarctic Peninsula, while numbers did not exceed 50 species in the eastern Weddell Sea. The haul length, ranging from 807 to 6,464 m, was positively correlated with depth; however, there was no linear relationship between haul length and species richness. We therefore suggest that depth was the most important factor explaining isopod species richness. However, only 28 sites were visited and the statistical power is thus limited. Sampling in the deep sea is expensive and time consuming and as yet this is the best isopod data set available from the Atlantic sector of the SO. Future expeditions are therefore important to better explain the current patterns of benthic diversity in Antarctica.
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Acknowledgements
Financial support for the ANDEEP I and II expeditions was provided by the German Science Foundation Br 1121/20–3; 436 RUS 17/91/03; 436 RUS 17/19/04). K.E.E. acknowledges the support of the Norwegian Research Council. We are grateful to Prof. W. Arntz, Chief Scientist on Polarstern Cruise ANT XV-3, and to Prof. D. Fütterer, Chief Scientist on Polarstern Cruises ANT XIX/3–4, and to the captains and crew of RV Polarstern, for help on board. Alexandra Toletti, Anna Marquart, Britta Wulf and David Hopff are thanked for their help with sorting of the EBS material, and the DZMB for financial support of sorting. This is ANDEEP publication no. 41.
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Brandt, A., Ellingsen, K.E., Brix, S. et al. Southern Ocean deep-sea isopod species richness (Crustacea, Malacostraca): influences of depth, latitude and longitude. Polar Biol 28, 284–289 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0688-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0688-z