Distribution and Diversity of Soil Microfauna from East Antarctica: Assessing the Link between Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087529
• Publication Date: 2014-01-31T22:54:11Z
• Authors: Alejandro Velasco...; Mark B. Schultz; Federica Colombo; John A. E. Gibson; Kerrie A. Davies; Andrew D. Austin; Mark I. Stevens
• Keywords: Microfauna; Biotic component

Terrestrial life in Antarctica has been described as some of the simplest on planet, and mainly confined to soil microfaunal communities. Studies have suggested that lack diversity is due extreme environmental conditions thought be driven by abiotic factors. In this study we investigated microfauna composition, abundance, distribution East Antarctica, assessed correlations with geochemistry variables. We examined 109 samples from a wide range ice-free habitats, spanning 2000 km Framnes Mountains Bailey Peninsula. Microfauna across all were patchily distributed, complete absence invertebrates over 1600 specimens/gram dry weight (gdw), highest abundance observed visible vegetation. Bdelloid rotifers average most widespread found 87% sampled sites abundant (44 specimens/gdw). Tardigrades occurred 57% an 12 specimens/gdw. Nematodes 71% total 3 Ciliates mites rarely samples, 1.3 0.04 specimens/gdw, respectively. composition mostly correlated geochemical parameters; phosphorus, NO3− salinity, likely result properties historic landscape formation alteration, rather than geographic region they from. focusing Antarctic biodiversity must take into account factors influence population species heterogeneity.