Trophic ecology of the emerald notothen Trematomus bernacchii (Pisces, Nototheniidae) from Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

Reproductive characteristics are compared of the nototheniids Trematomus bernacchii and T. hansoni and the channichthyid Chionodraco hamatus caught in summer at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) and caught all the year round in the waters off Casey Station (Mawson Sea). Whilst spawning of T. bernacchii took place in October–November off Casey and probably at Terra Nova Bay, the spawning period of T. hansoni differed between the sites (September–November off Casey, December–February at Terra Nova Bay). The spawning period also differed between sites for C. hamatus (August–October off Casey, December–February at Terra Nova Bay). Fecundity was higher and egg size was lower in nototheniid species (c, 8000 eggs of 3–4 mm) than in channichthyid (c. 4000 eggs of 4–5 mm). Moreover, the fecundity was lower and egg size higher in the specimens from Terra Nova Bay when compared to Casey.

Download Full-text

Predator–prey relationship between the nototheniid fish Trematomus bernacchii and the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea)

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102000000092 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 64-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Marino Vacchi ◽

R. Cattaneo-Vietti ◽

M. Chiantore ◽

M. Dalu

Keyword(s):

Ross Sea ◽

Size Structure ◽

Medium Size ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Size Classes ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Trematomus Bernacchii ◽

Terra Nova ◽

The Impact ◽

Adamussium Colbecki

Little information is available regarding predator-prey interactions in High-Antarctic coastal systems. In this study, the predation of Trematomus bernacchii (Pisces: Nototheniidae) on Adamussium colbecki (Mollusca: Pectinidae) is described and the related impact on the population structure of the mollusc is hypothesized. Fishes and scallops were collected during several expeditions between 1990/91 and 1997/98 summers, in nearshore waters at Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica). Adamussium colbecki was the main food item of T. bernacchii and an ontogenetic prey-size selection was observed. The predation was mainly on medium size classes of the scallop. These were lacking in the A. colbecki population sampled in the same period suggesting that the impact of fish-feeding on the size structure of the natural population of the mollusc may be substantial. Two size classes of the Adamussium population were not preyed on. Large adults avoid predation either because of the limits for mouth gape in the fish or by swimming avoidance capability, while smaller scallops may not be preyed upon because they are attached through byssus threads to very mobile large adults.

Download Full-text

Diet of two coastal nototheniid fish from Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102094000088 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 61-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

M. Vacchi ◽

M. La Mesa ◽

A. Castelli

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Important Prey ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Trematomus Bernacchii ◽

Terra Nova ◽

Adamussium Colbecki ◽

Nototheniid Fish ◽

Epibenthic Invertebrates

An investigation into the feeding habits of two demersal nototheniids, Trematomus bernacchii and T. centronotus, showed that the most important prey were polychaetes, molluscs and euphausiids for T. bernacchii and polychaetes and amphipods for T. centronotus. Epifaunal (e.g. Barrukia cristata) and tube-dwelling polychaetes (Amphicteis cfr. midas and Amythas membranifera) were common in the diet of both species. Bivalvia including Adamussium colbecki were found in the diet of T. bernacchii. Epifaunal gastropods (Trochidae) were an occasional prey for T. centronotus. Amphipods (mainly Acanthonotozomatidae) and the euphausiid Euphausia frigida were the main crustacean food of T. centronotus and T. bernacchii respectively. Our data suggest a difference in the feeding behaviour of the two nototheniid species, although both appear capable of feeding on common epibenthic invertebrates.

Download Full-text

Biogeochemical cycling of Pb in the coastal marine environment at Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102003001524 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 425-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

S. DALLA RIVA ◽

M.L. ABELMOSCHI ◽

M. CHIANTORE ◽

M. GROTTI ◽

E. MAGI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ross Sea ◽

Ice Core ◽

Concentration Data ◽

Odontaster Validus ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Coastal Marine ◽

Pack Ice ◽

Laternula Elliptica ◽

Trematomus Bernacchii ◽

Terra Nova

The biogeochemical cycle of lead in the marine coastal environment of Terra Nova Bay has been investigated by determining the lead concentration in a large number of matrices: marine sediments, pack ice, snow, seawater, marine microlayer, aerosol and eight species of marine organisms (the bivalve molluscs Adamussium colbecki and Laternula elliptica, the seastar Odontaster validus, the sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri, the fish Trematomus bernacchii, the seaweeds Iridaea cordata and Phyllophora antarctica, and the nemertine worm Parborlasia corrugatus). The study of solid speciation of sediment showed that the site is not influenced by human activity and is hence suitable to examine natural processes. The concentration values found in the suspended paniculate matter (SPM) of pack ice core, aerosol, marine microlayer and seawater as well as the particulate morphology, investigated by SEM, seem to support the hypothesis that particulate lead is transferred from the atmosphere to the water column through three different mechanisms: (i) release of SPM from the pack ice during its melting, (ii) input from the continental land through wet deposition, (iii) transport by aerosol and marine microlayer. Concentration data both in the whole organism and in some target organs indicated two suitable biomonitor organisms: the bivalva Laternula elliptica (particularly its digestive gland) and the fish Trematomus bernacchii (particularly its bones).

Download Full-text

Particulate organic matter release below melting sea ice (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica): Possible relationships with zooplankton

Journal of Marine Systems ◽

10.1016/j.jmarsys.2021.103510 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103510

Author(s):

Alessandro Cau ◽

Claudia Ennas ◽

Davide Moccia ◽

Olga Mangoni ◽

Francesco Bolinesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sea Ice ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

Ross Sea ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

Terra Nova

Download Full-text

A comparison between polynya area and associated ice production with mooring-based measurements of temperature, salinity and currents in the southwestern Ross Sea, Antarctica

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/172756411795931705 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 52 (57) ◽

pp. 291-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stefan Kern ◽

Stefano Aliani

Keyword(s):

Ross Sea ◽

Time Lag ◽

Ice Formation ◽

Terra Nova Bay ◽

In Situ Observations ◽

Satellite Microwave ◽

Terra Nova ◽

Ice Production ◽

The Impact

AbstractWintertime (April–September) area estimates of the Terra Nova Bay polynya (TNBP), Antarctica, based on satellite microwave radiometry are compared with in situ observations of water salinity, temperature and currents at a mooring in Terra Nova Bay in 1996 and 1997. In 1996, polynya area anomalies and associated anomalies in polynya ice production are significantly correlated with salinity anomalies at the mooring. Salinity anomalies lag area and/or ice production anomalies by about 3 days. Up to 50% of the variability in the salinity at the mooring position can be explained by area and/or ice production anomalies in the TNBP for April–September 1996. This value increases to about 70% when considering shorter periods like April–June or May–July, but reduces to 30% later, for example July–September, together with a slight increase in time lag. In 1997, correlations are smaller, less significant and occur at a different time lag. Analysis of ocean currents at the mooring suggests that in 1996 conditions were more favourable than in 1997 for observing the impact of descending plumes of salt-enriched water formed in the polynya during ice formation on the water masses at the mooring depth.

Download Full-text