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Benthic diatoms as the major food source in the sub-Antarctic marine hydroidSilicularia rosea

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Abstract

Analysis of the gut contents and scanning electron microscopy examination of the benthic hydroidSilicularia rosea from intertidal communities of Potter Cove (King George Island, South Shetlands) suggest that diatoms are the principal source of food for this species. The great number of items captured daily by each polyp (a mean of 287 in January and 162 in December) and the benthic origin of these prey items suggest an adaptation to daily resuspension processes caused by tidal currents. This is an unusual trophic strategy for a benthic hydroid, which would result in an important degree of independence from the highly fluctuating planktonic food conditions in Antarctic waters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Plaça del Mar s/n, E-08039, Barcelona, Spain

    J. M. Gili, V. Alvà & F. Pagès

  2. Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung, Columbusstrasse, D-27658, Bremerhaven, Germany

    H. Klöser & W. E. Arntz

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  1. J. M. Gili
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  2. V. Alvà
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  3. F. Pagès
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  4. H. Klöser
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  5. W. E. Arntz
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Correspondence to J. M. Gili.

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Gili, J.M., Alvà, V., Pagès, F. et al. Benthic diatoms as the major food source in the sub-Antarctic marine hydroidSilicularia rosea . Polar Biol 16, 507–512 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02329070

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02329070

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