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Changes in amphipod densities among macroalgal habitats in day versus night collections along the Western Antarctic Peninsula

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Abstract

Amphipods along the western Antarctic Peninsula appear to gain refuge from predators by associating with chemically defended macroalgae rather than palatable macroalgae. However, nothing is known about amphipod activity at night. If foraging on non-chemically defended macroalgae regularly occurs, then nocturnal foraging seems beneficial since visual predators are disadvantaged. To test this hypothesis, we collected three common macroalgal species and affiliated mesograzers, approximately 3 h before and after sunset. All associated mesofauna were counted and densities recorded. Amphipod densities were significantly decreased during the night on the chemically defended Desmarestia menziesii, while significantly increased on the palatable Iridaea cordata. Additionally, the amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica was found in significantly higher densities at night on Palmaria decipiens, a species shown to be readily eaten by G. antarctica and omnivorous fish. We believe that chemically defended macroalgae act as a refuge for mesograzers during the day, while more widespread foraging occurs at night.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Maggie Amsler, Philip Bucolo, Alan Maschek, Dr. Jill Zamzow, and the rest of our 2007 and 2008 Antarctic field team colleagues for their field assistance. This project would not have been possible without the hard work and outstanding logistical support in Antarctica from the employees and sub-contractors of Raytheon Polar Services Company. This work was supported by National Science Foundation awards OPP-0442769 (CDA, JBM) and OPP-0442857 (BJB) from the Antarctic Ecosystems and Organisms program and by an Endowed Professorship in Polar and Marine Biology to JBM provided by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Science, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, 10964, USA

    Craig F. Aumack

  2. Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294-1170, USA

    Charles D. Amsler & James B. McClintock

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Bill J. Baker

Authors
  1. Craig F. Aumack
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  2. Charles D. Amsler
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  3. James B. McClintock
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  4. Bill J. Baker
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Correspondence to Craig F. Aumack.

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Communicated by S. D. Connell .

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Aumack, C.F., Amsler, C.D., McClintock, J.B. et al. Changes in amphipod densities among macroalgal habitats in day versus night collections along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Mar Biol 158, 1879–1885 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1700-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1700-0

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