Diversity of Fungi Present in Permafrost in the South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctic

The present paper describes 10 new diatom (Bacillariophyta) species from the Maritime Antarctic Region. Five of the newly described taxa: Caloneis australis sp. nov., Mayamaea sweetloveana sp. nov., Navicula romanedwardii sp. nov., Sellaphora antarctica sp. nov. and Sellaphora gracillima sp. nov. have been previously reported from the Antarctic Region but were force-fitted into incorrect names. Five other taxa: Chamaepinnularia elliptica sp. nov., Cosmioneis regigeorgiensis sp. nov., Mayamaea tytgatiana sp. nov., Muelleria pimpireviana sp. nov. and Pinnularia pinseeliana sp. nov. are newly discovered taxa. The morphology of all new species is studied using both light and scanning electon microscope observations and compared with similar species from the Antarctic Region and worldwide. Data about the ecology and confirmed Antarctic distribution of the new species are added.

Download Full-text

Two additions to the moss flora of the South Shetland Islands in the maritime Antarctic

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.3598 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Mariusz Wierzgoń ◽

Tomasz Suchan ◽

Michał Ronikier

Keyword(s):

South Shetland Islands ◽

King George Island ◽

Maritime Antarctic ◽

The South ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

Bay Area ◽

Leading Position ◽

Glacial Cover ◽

The Antarctic ◽

First Time

Tortella fragilis (Drumm.) Limpr. (Pottiaceae) and Bryum nivale Müll. Hal. (Bryaceae) are recorded for the first time from the South Shetland Islands in the northern maritime Antarctic. They were discovered in the Admiralty Bay area on King George Island, the largest island of this archipelago. The two species are briefly characterized morphologically, their habitats are described, and their distribution in the Antarctic is mapped. Discovery of these species has increased the documented moss flora of King George Island to 67 species, strengthening it in the leading position among individual areas with the richest diversity of moss flora in Antarctica. Likewise, T. fragilis and B. nivale represent remarkable additions to the moss flora of the South Shetland Islands, which currently consists of 92 species and one variety, making this archipelago by far the richest bryofloristically amongst large geographic regions of the Antarctic. Comparison of recent (2018) and old (1985) photographs revealed a significant retreat of glacial cover and suggests that the collection site was likely opened for colonization only within the last several decades. The record of T. fragilis is biogeographically relevant, and constitutes an intermediate site between the species’ occurrences in the Antarctic Peninsula and southern South America. The present record of B. nivale is the fourth discovery of the species worldwide, which may be helpful for the future designation of the distribution of this extremely rare species.

Download Full-text

Records of Parochlus steinenii in the Maritime Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.1011.56833 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1011 ◽

pp. 63-71

Author(s):

Melisa Gañan ◽

Tamara Contador ◽

Javier Rendoll ◽

Felipe Simoes ◽

Carolina Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biosphere Reserve ◽

South Shetland Islands ◽

Maritime Antarctic ◽

The South ◽

Global Biodiversity Information Facility ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

South Georgia ◽

Darwin Core ◽

Complete Dataset ◽

Antarctic Continent

This study provides the summary of the reports of the geographical distribution in the Maritime Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions of Parochlus steinenii (Gercke, 1889) (Diptera, Chironomidae), the only flying insect occurring naturally in the Antarctic continent. The distribution encompasses the South Shetland Islands (Maritime Antarctic), South Georgia (sub-Antarctic), and parts of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR, southern Chile). In total 78 occurrence records were identified, 53 from our own records, 19 from the literature, and six from other data present in GBIF. Of the 78 records, 66 are from the South Shetland Islands, eight are from South Georgia, and four from the CHBR. This database was developed as one of the main objectives of two Chilean-funded research projects addressing understanding the effects of climate change on sub-Antarctic and Antarctic insects. It provides dataset documenting the distribution of Parochlus steinenii in the Maritime Antarctic, the sub-Antarctic, and the CHBR in southern South America (Chile). The complete dataset is available in Darwin Core Archive format via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Download Full-text

The cryptostigmatid mite Halozetes belgicae (Michael) in the maritime Antarctic

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102091000093 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 53-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L.B. Minto ◽

G.J. Shepherd ◽

M.B. Usher

Keyword(s):

South Shetland Islands ◽

Maritime Antarctic ◽

The South ◽

Macquarie Island ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

Orkney Islands ◽

South Orkney Islands ◽

South Sandwich Islands ◽

The Antarctic ◽

Morphometrical Study

Halozetes belgicae is distributed widely in the Subantarctic and maritime Antarctic, with subspecies described from Macquarie Island and the South Sandwich Islands. A morphometrical study, based largely on the development of the setae, indicates that the nominate subspecies is confined to the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands (including the South Shetland Islands), whilst specimens from the South Orkney Islands are probably consubspecific with individuals on the South Sandwich Islands. In comparison with other studies of the Acari, the results strengthen the case for the recognition of a South Orkadian biogeographical zone.

Download Full-text

Four new Luticola taxa (Bacillariophyta) from the South Shetland Islands and James Ross Island (Maritime Antarctic Region)

Nova Hedwigia ◽

10.1127/0029-5035/2011/0092-0137 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 92 (1) ◽

pp. 137-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Bart Van de Vijver ◽

Ralitsa Zidarova ◽

Myriam de Haan

Keyword(s):

South Shetland Islands ◽

Maritime Antarctic ◽

The South ◽

Antarctic Region ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

James Ross Island

Download Full-text

Tardigrade fauna of the South Sandwich Islands, maritime Antarctic

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1058.1.3 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1058 (1) ◽

pp. 43 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

SANDRA J. MCINNES ◽

PETER CONVEY

Keyword(s):

South Shetland Islands ◽

Maritime Antarctic ◽

The South ◽

Volcanic Origin ◽

Shetland Islands ◽

Biological Survey ◽

Recent Origin ◽

South Sandwich Islands ◽

Scotia Arc ◽

The Antarctic

The maritime Antarctic South Sandwich Islands are an isolated oceanic archipelago of volcanic origin lying between 56º18'S, 27º34'W and 59º27'S, 27º22'W. All the islands are of recent origin (maximum ages 0.5–3 million years) with many still exhibiting some form of volcanic activity. The islands are part of the Scotia Arc, lying on a crustal upwarp extending from South Georgia through the South Sandwich Islands to the South Shetland Islands that connects the Andean chain of South America to the Antarctic Peninsula. As part of an extensive biological survey completed during early 1997, samples were collected from 10 of the 11 major islands in the archipelago from which the tardigrade fauna has subsequently been extracted. We report the composition of this fauna, and discuss its biogeographical relationships. Tardigrade species richness was low (6 taxa), in keeping with the recent formation and isolation of these islands. However, as reported previously for the terrestrial arthropod fauna and bryophyte flora, there is indication of both suband maritime Antarctic origin.

Download Full-text