scholarly journals Diversity, Ecological Role and Biotechnological Potential of Antarctic Marine Fungi

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Stefano Varrella ◽  
Giulio Barone ◽  
Michael Tangherlini ◽  
Eugenio Rastelli ◽  
Antonio Dell’Anno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Marine Fungi ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Biotechnological Potential ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
The Antarctic

The Antarctic Ocean is one of the most remote and inaccessible environments on our planet and hosts potentially high biodiversity, being largely unexplored and undescribed. Fungi have key functions and unique physiological and morphological adaptations even in extreme conditions, from shallow habitats to deep-sea sediments. Here, we summarized information on diversity, the ecological role, and biotechnological potential of marine fungi in the coldest biome on Earth. This review also discloses the importance of boosting research on Antarctic fungi as hidden treasures of biodiversity and bioactive molecules to better understand their role in marine ecosystem functioning and their applications in different biotechnological fields.

scholarly journals Marine Fungi: Biotechnological Perspectives from Deep-Hypersaline Anoxic Basins

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barone ◽  
Varrella ◽  
Tangherlini ◽  
Rastelli ◽  
Dell'Anno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Marine Fungi ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Microbial Biodiversity ◽  
Biotechnological Potential ◽  
Anoxic Basins ◽  
Hostile Environments ◽  
Halophilic Species ◽  
Relevant Component

Deep-sea hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) are one of the most hostile environments on Earth. Even though DHABs have hypersaline conditions, anoxia and high hydrostatic pressure, they host incredible microbial biodiversity. Among eukaryotes inhabiting these systems, recent studies demonstrated that fungi are a quantitatively relevant component. Here, fungi can benefit from the accumulation of large amounts of organic material. Marine fungi are also known to produce bioactive molecules. In particular, halophilic and halotolerant fungi are a reservoir of enzymes and secondary metabolites with valuable applications in industrial, pharmaceutical, and environmental biotechnology. Here we report that among the fungal taxa identified from the Mediterranean and Red Sea DHABs, halotolerant halophilic species belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium can be used or screened for enzymes and bioactive molecules. Fungi living in DHABs can extend our knowledge about the limits of life, and the discovery of new species and molecules from these environments can have high biotechnological potential.

The summer diet of demersal fish at the South Shetland Islands

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Takahashi ◽  
Tetsuo Iwami
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Shetland Islands ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Dietary Component ◽  
Gobionotothen Gibberifrons ◽  
The Antarctic

The stomach contents of demersal fish in late January 1982 were analysed. Samples were taken at 100, 300 and 500 m depth south of Elephant Island, Bransfield Strait and north of Livingston Island, and at 800 m to the east of Smith Island. Fifty four taxa of fish belonging to 11 families were collected. The diets of 2101 fish representing 38 taxa were examined. These were classified into three categories, fish feeders, krill feeders and benthos feeders. Fish prey species fed on krill and/or benthos. Krill was a major dietary component for 32 (84.2%) out of 38 taxa. Gobionotothen gibberifrons was distributed at all 10 stations (100–800 m in depth) and its diet comprised krill and benthos. The present findings verify the importance of krill in the Antarctic marine ecosystem and indicate that krill is consumed by benthic fish at greater depths than previously reported.

Reproductive aspects of female crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) along the Antarctic Peninsula

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Bengtson ◽  
Donald B. Siniff
Keyword(s):  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
The Past ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Crabeater Seals ◽  
Lobodon Carcinophagus ◽  
The Antarctic

Examination of a sample of 94 female crabeater seals collected in November, 1977, indicated that, for the past 7 years, the average age at sexual maturity was 3.8 years. Reproductive performance as evidenced by uterine scars and ovarian corpora is discussed. No females inseminated at age 4 or less successfully carried a fetus full term. Timing of ovulation was affected by both age and social category. Younger seals ovulate later in the season than older seals. No females ovulated prior to weaning their pups. Ovulation in experienced females occurred sometimes while still in a mated pair, but mostly at or after dissolution of the pair bond. Comparison of recent age of sexual maturity with earlier reports shows an increase in this age since 1967. This trend may reflect geographical differences or changes in the Antarctic marine ecosystem following a slowdown in Antarctic whaling.

Review—The CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Agnew
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Monitoring Programme ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecosystem Monitoring ◽  
Ecological Relationships ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Management Advice ◽  
The Antarctic

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources states as part of its objective the maintenance of ecological relationships and the prevention of irreversible changes to the ecosystem. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has implemented an Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP) for the Antarctic marine environment to give effect to this requirement. The design phase of the programme took three years. The programme has been fully implemented since 1987 and involves monitoring selected predator, prey and environmental indicators of ecosystem performance. The central aim of the programme is the detection of changes in these indicators and the interpretation as to whether these changes are due to natural events or the harvesting of marine living resources. The core of the programme is the acquisition, centralised storage and analysis of standardised monitoring data combined with a strong emphasis on empirical and modelling based research. This both modifies the monitoring approach in line with changing requirements and creates a sound scientific background against which to test the effects of management options on components of the Antarctic ecosystem. The development of procedures for translating monitoring results into management advice is a critical part of the programme. Management takes the form of the regulation of fishing activities. Since 1987 CEMP has collected data on six bird and seal species at 15 sites around the Antarctic. Up to 14 parameters of predator performance and 10 parameters of prey and environmental performance are collected at each site. The data sets collected by CEMP form an extremely powerful tool for understanding and managing the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

scholarly journals Retreating Shorelines as an Emerging Threat to Adélie Penguins on Inexpressible Island

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 4718
Author(s):  
Xintong Chen ◽  
Jiquan Chen ◽  
Xiao Cheng ◽  
Lizhong Zhu ◽  
Bing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Pygoscelis Adeliae ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Penguin Colony ◽  
Long Term Observation ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Colony Area ◽  
Adélie Penguins

Long-term observation of penguin abundance and distribution may warn of changes in the Antarctic marine ecosystem and provide support for penguin conservation. We conducted an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey of the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony on Inexpressible Island and obtained aerial images with a resolution of 0.07 m in 2018. We estimated penguin abundance and identified the spatial extent of the penguin colony. A total of 24,497 breeding pairs were found on Inexpressible Island within a colony area of 57,507 m2. Based on historical images, the colony area expanded by 30,613 m2 and abundance increased by 4063 pairs between 1983 and 2012. Between 2012 and 2018 penguin abundance further increased by 3314 pairs, although the colony area decreased by 1903 m2. In general, Adélie penguins bred on Inexpressible Island at an elevation <20 m, and >55% of penguins had territories within 150 m of the shoreline. This suggests that penguins prefer to breed in areas with a low elevation and close to the shoreline. We observed a retreat of the shoreline on Inexpressible Island between 1983 and 2018, especially along the northern coast, which may have played a key role in the expansion of the penguin colony on the northern coast. In sum, it appears that retreating shorelines reshaped penguin distribution on the island and may be an emerging risk factor for penguins. These results highlight the importance of remote sensing techniques for monitoring changes in the Antarctic marine ecosystem and providing reliable data for Antarctic penguin conservation.

scholarly journals Biological and environmental drivers of deep-sea benthic ecosystem functioning in Canada’s Laurentian Channel Area of Interest (AOI)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Miatta ◽  
Paul V Snelgrove
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Prokaryotic Abundance

Ongoing environmental changes and accelerating biodiversity loss raise concern and interest about the role of environmental factors and biodiversity in determining marine ecosystem functioning. This study aims to identify the main drivers of benthic ecosystem functioning in deep-sea sedimentary habitats in the Laurentian Channel Area of Interest (AOI), and in particular the role of sea pens (Pennatulacea) as potential keystone species in the area. Using the ROV ROPOS we collected sediment cores and measured environmental variables from 6 stations inside the AOI (depths 348–445m) in September 2017. Through 48-hours incubations and flux measurements (oxygen, inorganic nutrients), we estimated organic matter remineralization, a key benthic function. Preliminary analyses show no significant variation in fluxes among stations, despite significant differences in environmental variables However, the presence/absence of Pennatulacea inside the cores indicated some capability to enhance remineralization and particularly nitrification. Ongoing analyses will address sediment properties, macrofaunal biodiversity, prokaryotic abundance, and biological traits as drivers of remineralization. Shedding new light on the primary drivers of ecosystem functioning in the area will inform the design or monitoring strategies proposed for this AOI and offer new perspectives and tools for MPA design.

scholarly journals The cephalopod prey of the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, a biological sampler of the Antarctic marine ecosystem

Polar Biology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Negri ◽  
G. A. Daneri ◽  
F. Ceia ◽  
R. Vieira ◽  
Y. Cherel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Weddell Seal ◽  
Leptonychotes Weddellii ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
The Antarctic

Antarctic marine biology – two centuries of research

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gotthilf Hempel
Keyword(s):  
Marine Biology ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Economic Exploitation ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Antarctic Marine ◽  
Research Facilities ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractWhilst interest in the economic exploitation of the Southern Ocean resources dates back to the last part of the 18th century scientific research into elements of the marine ecosystem only began in the mid 19th century. As far as plankton and benthos are concerned the great exploratory voyages and expeditions laid a firm taxonomic foundation on which later work was built. The most outstanding expedition contribution was from the Discovery Investigations. Concern about uncontrolled exploitation stimulated the SCAR BIOMASS programme which in turn led to CCAMLR with its modelling programmes and top predator monitoring. Recent research on pack ice communities has been aided by dedicated ice-capable research vessels whilst unmanned photographic techniques as well as SCUBA diving and experimental research facilities in the Antarctic have encouraged major research on benthos. International collaboration, interdisciplinary research and good ideas suggest Antarctic marine biology has a bright future.

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