Several arenaceous and calcareous foraminifera epibionts of Sertella frigida (Waters) (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata), collected in Terranova Bay during the 1989-90 Italian Antarctic expedition, were studied. Arenaceous species, such as Psammosphaera fusca Schulze f. adhaerescens Rhumbler, Haplophragmoides canariensis d'Orbigny, Portatrochammina antarctica (Parr), and ¹rochammina arctica Hedley, Hurdle and Burdett, are a conspicuous component of the epifaunal community. The calcareous foraminifers encrusting S. frigida are mostly represented by Cibicides refulgens Montfort and Rosalina globularis d'Orbigny.Foraminifera were found only in the basal part of the bryozoan colonies. The presence of many juveniles provided evidence that foraminifers were reproducing at the time of sampling. Psammosphaera fusca f. adhaerescens was found exclusively inside the zooids of S. frigida. The large number of individuals associated with the bryozoan suggest that P. fusca f. adhaerescens finds optimum conditions (shelter, food, and grains for shell building) for growth inside the zooids of S. frigida. The other species occurred most commonly adhered to the trabeculae or to the zooid orifices of S. frigida. An elevated position offers a better chance to catch food particles from the overlying water column. Foraminifers could benefit also from bryozoan feeding currents. The availability of resuspended organic material could provide a more consistent source of food in a highly seasonal oligotrophic environment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.