Bryozoan colonization of the marine isopod Glyptonotus antarcticus at Signy Island, Antarctica |
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Authors: | Marcus M Key Jr David K A Barnes |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, P.O. Box 1773, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17013-2896, USA e-mail: key@dickinson.edu, Fax: +717-245-1971, US;(2) Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University College, Cork, Ireland, IE |
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Abstract: | Sixty specimens of the giant marine isopod Glyptonotus antarcticus Eights, collected from Borge Bay, Signy Island, Antarctica were examined for epizoans. Ten species of cheilostomatid bryozoans
were found on the isopods. The purpose of the study was to quantify the prevalence, intensity, abundance, and spatial distribution
of the bryozoans on the isopods. The proportion of isopods colonized was 42%. The larger isopods had both significantly more
epizoic bryozoan colonies and species. The greatest density of bryozoans was on the fused pleon and telson. There was no significant
difference between the dorsal and ventral abundance of bryozoan colonies. The diversity of epizoic bryozoans on the isopods
is higher than on other host organisms from more stable environments. This may be because of active selection by settling
larvae. The frequency of local substrata being scoured by ice is high around Signy Island, so there may be a selective advantage
in colonizing a motile host.
Accepted: 20 June 1998 |
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