Aerial dispersal of springtails on the Antarctic Peninsula: implications for local distribution and demography

Abstract

Aerial dispersal has been frequently proposed as a potential mechanism by which polar terrestrial arthropods are transported to, and settle the ice free habitats of Antarctica, but to date there has been little substantive evidence in support of this hypothesis. Using water traps we investigated aerial deposition of arthropods on Lagoon Island, Ryder Bay, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Over a period of five weeks, trapping at three different altitudes, we captured a total of nine springtails, Cryptopygus antarcticus, all alive. This is the first study to demonstrate conclusively the survival of wind-borne native arthropods within Antarctica. By scaling the modest trapping area and success against island surface area, it is clear that hundreds, if not thousands, of springtails are regularly relocated by winds between the terrestrial habitats of Marguerite Bay. We use known desiccation rates of C. antarcticus and wind speeds to predict the likelihood of successful dispersal between the principal terrestrial habitats of the larger Marguerite Bay. Implications for local and long-range dispersal are discussed in relation to C. antarcticus and other polar arthropods.

Genetic diversity among populations of Antarctic springtails (Collembola) within the Mackay Glacier ecotone

“…This could explain why some G. hodgsoni haplotypes are shared at sites up to 55 km apart despite being currently isolated by glaciers. Although springtails have been collected in air traps over small-scale distances (<8 km; see Hawes et al 2007;McGaughran et al 2011), long-distance wind dispersal is considered unlikely. Further, springtails are prone to desiccation due to their permeable cuticle and do not have the anhydrobiotic capacity such as that of nematodes, tardigrades, and rotifers which would facilitate Aeolian transport (Freckman and Virginia 1998;Hogg et al 2014;Velasco-Castrillon et al 2014a).…”

Non-volant modes of migration in terrestrial arthropods

“…Collembola are rather susceptible to desiccation, and this may hamper aerial movement over long distances [51]; long-range waterborne movement may be more likely, as discussed below. Successful airborne relocation over short distances does occur, however, as shown by the trapping of live specimens in Antarctica [51].…”

Long-term stasis in a diverse fauna of Early Cretaceous springtails (Collembola: Symphypleona)

“…Not only can individuals jump distances by repeated use of their furcula (e.g. Grinsbergs 1960;Christian 1978Christian , 1979Christian & V€ ollenkle 1979;Sudo et al 2013a, b), but they also may be dispersed as 'aerial plankton' (Freeman 1952;Gressitt et al 1960;Farrow & Greenslade 1992;Hawes et al 2007). Although Symphypleona predate the separation of Laurasia and Gondwana, as well as the subsequent fragmentation of each, such events are not reflected in the patterns of cladogenesis among families or subfamilies of the order, and it is not uncommon for larger groups to be widespread given the influence of dispersal.…”