Biodiversity and biogeography of Southern Ocean pycnogonids

Griffiths, Huw J.; Arango, Claudia P.; Munilla, Tomás; McInnes, Sandra J.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06612.x

Cited by 33 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The SO crabs and lobsters examined show some typical distribution patterns similar to those observed in other benthic species such as the Pycnogonida and Porifera [95]–[96]. The main difference in the distribution of these decapods is that they are not found in the cold (<0°C) regions of the continental margin.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…Conversely, the SACCB represents the southern boundary of the grouping spanning from the Southern Indian Ocean to Peter I Island. For this group of animals, unlike many other benthic taxa [43], [94]–[95], the PF does not seem to represent a substantial biogeographic boundary. Once again contrasting with other studied taxa [43], [94], the lithodids of South Georgia group more closely with those of southern South America than they do with the Antarctic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

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Antarctic Crabs: Invasion or Endurance?

Griffiths

Whittle

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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Recent scientific interest following the “discovery” of lithodid crabs around Antarctica has centred on a hypothesis that these crabs might be poised to invade the Antarctic shelf if the recent warming trend continues, potentially decimating its native fauna. This “invasion hypothesis” suggests that decapod crabs were driven out of Antarctica 40–15 million years ago and are only now returning as “warm” enough habitats become available. The hypothesis is based on a geographically and spatially poor fossil record of a different group of crabs (Brachyura), and examination of relatively few Recent lithodid samples from the Antarctic slope. In this paper, we examine the existing lithodid fossil record and present the distribution and biogeographic patterns derived from over 16,000 records of Recent Southern Hemisphere crabs and lobsters. Globally, the lithodid fossil record consists of only two known specimens, neither of which comes from the Antarctic. Recent records show that 22 species of crabs and lobsters have been reported from the Southern Ocean, with 12 species found south of 60°S. All are restricted to waters warmer than 0°C, with their Antarctic distribution limited to the areas of seafloor dominated by Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW). Currently, CDW extends further and shallower onto the West Antarctic shelf than the known distribution ranges of most lithodid species examined. Geological evidence suggests that West Antarctic shelf could have been available for colonisation during the last 9,000 years. Distribution patterns, species richness, and levels of endemism all suggest that, rather than becoming extinct and recently re-invading from outside Antarctica, the lithodid crabs have likely persisted, and even radiated, on or near to Antarctic slope. We conclude there is no evidence for a modern-day “crab invasion”. We recommend a repeated targeted lithodid sampling program along the West Antarctic shelf to fully test the validity of the “invasion hypothesis”.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Antarctic Crabs: Invasion or Endurance?

Griffiths

Whittle

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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“…A range of distribution patterns are, however, apparent in different taxa, depending on both life history and evolutionary history (e.g., Linse et al 2006, Barnes and Griffiths 2008, Hemery et al 2012, Strugnell et al 2012. Some groups, such as pycnogonids, show a global hotspot of diversity within the Southern Ocean, and when examined at a regional scale, have distinct local hotspots such as the South Shetland Islands (Griffiths et al 2011a). Others, such as gastropod molluscs, show an overall global pattern of reduced diversity at higher latitudes , but with no evidence of a latitudinal gradient around continental Antarctica ).…”

Section: Biodiversity Gradients Within Antarcticamentioning

confidence: 99%

The spatial structure of Antarctic biodiversity

Convey

Chown

Clarke

et al. 2014

Ecological Monographs

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Patterns of environmental spatial structure lie at the heart of the most fundamental and familiar patterns of diversity on Earth. Antarctica contains some of the strongest environmental gradients on the planet and therefore provides an ideal study ground to test hypotheses on the relevance of environmental variability for biodiversity. To answer the pivotal question, “How does spatial variation in physical and biological environmental properties across the Antarctic drive biodiversity?” we have synthesized current knowledge on environmental variability across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine Antarctic biomes and related this to the observed biotic patterns. The most important physical driver of Antarctic terrestrial communities is the availability of liquid water, itself driven by solar irradiance intensity. Patterns of biota distribution are further strongly influenced by the historical development of any given location or region, and by geographical barriers. In freshwater ecosystems, free water is also crucial, with further important influences from salinity, nutrient availability, oxygenation, and characteristics of ice cover and extent. In the marine biome there does not appear to be one major driving force, with the exception of the oceanographic boundary of the Polar Front. At smaller spatial scales, ice cover, ice scour, and salinity gradients are clearly important determinants of diversity at habitat and community level. Stochastic and extreme events remain an important driving force in all environments, particularly in the context of local extinction and colonization or recolonization, as well as that of temporal environmental variability. Our synthesis demonstrates that the Antarctic continent and surrounding oceans provide an ideal study ground to develop new biogeographical models, including life history and physiological traits, and to address questions regarding biological responses to environmental variability and change.

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“…As a consequence, we have a great amount of knowledge on this fauna in terms of biodiversity (León 2001;Munilla & Soler-Membrives 2009, integrative taxonomy, population genetics Dietz et al 2015;Krabbe et al 2010), biogeography (Griffiths et al 2011;Munilla & SolerMembrives 2009) and parasitology (Schiaparelli et al 2008). Historically, one of the first invertebrate species described from Antarctica was a sea spider (Decolopoda australis Eights, 1835) and since then, pycnogonids have been considered as a flagship group in Antarctica.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%