Seasonal trophic ecology of the dominant Antarctic coral Malacobelemnon daytoni (Octocorallia, Pennatulacea, Kophobelemnidae)

This work is contributing to the ICTA “Unit of Excellence” (MinECo, MDM2015-0552).-- 11 pages, 6 figures, 1 table

Antarctic ecosystems present highly marked seasonal patterns in energy input, which in turn determines the biology and ecology of marine invertebrate species. This relationship is stronger at lower levels of the food web, while upper levels may be less dependent on primary production pulses. The pennatulid Malacobelemnon daytoni, is one of the most abundant species in Potter Cove, Antarctica. In order to assess its trophic ecology and energetic strategies, its biochemical (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids), Fatty Acid (FA) and Stable Isotope (SI) (δN and δC) compositions were studied over a year-round period. The FA and SI profiles suggest an omnivorous diet and opportunistic feeding strategy for the species. These results, together with biochemical analysis (higher lipid and carbohydrate concentration observed in July and October 2009), support the hypothesis that resuspension events may be an important source of energy, reducing the seasonality of food depletion periods in winter. The evidence presented here gives us a better insight into the success that this species has in Potter Cove and under the current environmental changes experienced by the Antarctic Peninsula

This study was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Fundación Carolina, Dirección Nacional del Antártico (DNA)/Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and Intitute of Marine Science (ICM). The work was partially funded by PICTO 2010 - 0019 (ANPCyT-DNA), PIP CONICET Nº11220100100089, SECyT (05/I602), ESF-IMCOAST associated work package of AP-4 of Dr. Sahade and the EU project IMCONet (FP7 404 IRSES, action no. 319718)

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