A record of some parasitic worms from whales in the Ross Sea area

Parasitology ◽  
1953 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolen Rees
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
The Body ◽  
Parasitic Infestation ◽  
The Gift ◽  
Parasitic Worms ◽  
Sea Area ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Veterinary Officer ◽  
Factory Ship

The material examined in the present investigation was given to the writer by Mr W. Ross Cockrill, F.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Carmarthen. The specimens were collected by Mr Ross Cockrill on the whale factory ship Balaena when he accompanied the Antarctic Whaling Expedition in the winter of 1951–2 for the purpose of making investigations into the pathology of whales. The whales were caught in the Ross Sea area roughly between 67° 51′ S. and 71° 13′ S., and the parasitic worms recovered from them include cestodes, nematodes and Acanthocephala. The worms were fixed at the time of collecting, the cestodes in 5% formalin and the nematodes and Acanthocephala in hot 70% alcohol. When only one or a few specimens were found they were all fixed, but if the infestation was heavy a sample was collected. In addition, portions of infested kidney and lesions from other parts of the body thought to be associated with parasitic infestation were included in the collection. The writer is greatly indebted to Mr Ross Cockrill for the gift of this material.

On a new Antarctic species of Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher, 1890 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Sertulariidae), with an annotated checklist of the Antarctic species of the genus

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2494 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
ÁLVARO L. PEÑA CANTERO
Keyword(s):  
Ross Sea ◽  
Antarctic Region ◽  
Antarctic Species ◽  
Sea Area ◽  
Annotated Checklist ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Western Ross Sea

A new Antarctic species of the genus Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher is described and figured, and its position amongst the allied Antarctic species of the genus is discussed. The material was collected from the Ross Sea area (Antarctica) during the BioRoss survey to the western Ross Sea and Balleny Islands in 2004. Symplectoscyphus frondosus, sp. nov., is unique amongst the Antarctic known species of the genus in having large, erect, rigid, muchbranched, bottlebrush-shaped stems. An annotated checklist of the Antarctic species of the genus is also included. Sixteen of the 19 known Antarctic species are endemic to the Antarctic Region (84%), two are also present in subAntarctic waters and only one has a wider distribution.

Breaking molds: Oswaldella laertesi, sp. nov., a unique Antarctic species of Oswaldella Stechow, 1919 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Kirchenpaueriidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1612 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALVARO L. PEÑA CANTERO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Antarctic Species ◽  
Sea Area ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Western Ross Sea

A new species of the Antarctic genus Oswaldella Stechow is described and figured, and its position amongst the remaining species of the genus is discussed. The material was collected from the Ross Sea area (Antarctica) during the BioRoss survey of the western Ross Sea and Balleny Islands in 2004. Oswaldella laertesi, sp. nov., is unique amongst known species of the genus in having hydrocladia arranged in three longitudinal rows.

Six new species of Grania (Oligochaeta, Enchytraeidae) from the Ross Sea, Antarctica

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Rota ◽  
Christer Erséus
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mcmurdo Sound ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Terra Nova Bay ◽  
Specific Shape ◽  
Terra Nova ◽  
The Antarctic

Six new species of marine Enchytraeidae, Grania hirsuticauda sp.n., G. acanthochaeta sp.n., G. carchinii sp.n., G. angustinasus sp.n., G. antarctica sp.n. and G. algida sp.n., are described from benthic material collected in McMurdo Sound during 1959–61 and Terra Nova Bay in 1988. They represent the first records of this family from below the Antarctic circle and, together with tubificids, the first oligochaetes from the Ross Sea. G. hirsuticauda, apparently the most widespread species in McMurdo Sound, is distinguished by having setae abruptly larger in the posterior third of the body and almost nodulate; a T-shaped prostomial bifurcation of the dorsal vessel, short sperm funnels and sperm sac, and thick-walled spermathecae. G. acanthochaeta possesses a unique, thorn-like, setal morphology and diverticulate spermathecal ampullae. G. carchinii, the only new species lacking lateral setae, is also distinguished by a remarkably high development of the chloragogen tissue and the possession of nephridia at 6/7. G. angustinasus, the most abundant species in the sampling area in Terra Nova Bay, and G. antarctica, have the same setal distribution, size and (curved) shape, but show different forms of penial bulbs (more complex in G. angustinasus) and spermathecal structures (the ampullae being larger and the external pores more posterior in G. antarctica). G. algida is distinguished by its L-shaped setae and carrot-shaped, diverticulate, spermathecal ampullae. All the new species lack cuticular penial stylets as well as spermathecal ectal glands. All species but G. carchinii are peculiar in possessing, in front of the brain, a middorsal vesicular body of specific shape and size containing a few refractile inclusions; a sensory (possibly a statocyst-like) function is suggested for this ‘head organ’, which has not been previously reported in the Oligochaeta.

scholarly journals LA RICOLONIZZAZIONE DELL’ANTARTIDE: STORIE DI PINGUINI E FOCHE, SENTINELLE DEI CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICI NEGLI ULTIMI 10 MILA ANNI

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Baroni
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Ornithogenic Soils ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Coastal Margin ◽  
Sea Area ◽  
The Antarctic

The re-colonization of Antarctica: stories of penguins and seals, sentinels of climate change in the last ten thousand years. During the Late Pleistocene the Antarctic glacial system expanded and advanced on the coastal margin of the continent forcing penguins, seals and other animals nesting in the deglaciated areas to migrate toward refuge areas located at northern latitudes. The deglaciation that followed the last glacial maximum, in the Ross Sea area, was accomplished around 8000 years ago, freeing the Antarctic coasts that were re-colonized by Adélie penguins and elephant seals. These two species have coexisted, even alternating, in the deglaciated areas of the coastal strip for several millennia. In the ornithogenic soils of the abandoned penguin colonies and in the breeding sites of the elephant seals, recently discovered on the Holocene raised beaches, a precious heritage of organic remains is preserved, allowing us to study different aspects of recent environmental history. The phases of colonization and coexistence between penguins and elephant seals are very complex and reflect the climatic-environmental variations that have characterized the Antarctic scenario for several thousand of years. Penguins and elephant seals, sensitive sentinels of the Antarctic ecosystem, are now playing an important role in the Southern Ocean scenario, interpreting the dramatic role of bellwether of climate change.

Skin-digging tanaids: the unusual parasitic behaviour of Exspina typica in Antarctic waters and worldwide deep basins

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Alvaro ◽  
Magdalena Błażewicz-Paszkowycz ◽  
Niki Davey ◽  
Stefano Schiaparelli
Keyword(s):  
Body Wall ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Body Cavity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Common Life ◽  
Life Styles ◽  
Antarctic Waters ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe order Tanaidacea includes over 1000 species which are mainly free-living or tube-dwelling detritivores. Exspina typica Lang, 1968 represents an exception to these common life styles, having being found in the intestine and body cavity of deep sea holothuroids. The 2008 New Zealand ‘IPY-CAML Cruise’ held in the Ross Sea collected several deepwater holothuroids that were observed to carry specimens of E. typica inside their coelomic cavity. A clear interpretation of this association was hence possible. Even if E. typica shows slight adaptations to a parasitic life style, the tanaids were found to actively ‘dig’ into the host's skin, grasping tissue with their claws and producing tunnels in the body wall. It is therefore possible to clearly define this association, which is here reported from the Antarctic for the first time, as parasitism.

Influence of environmental conditions on spatial distribution and abundance of early life stages of Antarctic silverfish,Pleuragramma antarcticum(Nototheniidae), in the Ross Sea

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario La Mesa ◽  
Barbara Catalano ◽  
Aniello Russo ◽  
Silvio Greco ◽  
Marino Vacchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Early Life ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
Pleuragramma Antarcticum ◽  
Antarctic Silverfish ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Western Ross Sea

AbstractThe Antarctic silverfishPleuragramma antarcticumBoulenger is the dominant fish species in the high Antarctic zone, playing a key role in the Ross Sea midwater shelf ecosystem. Unlike other notothenioids, it is holoplanktonic species, spending its entire life cycle in the water column. Early life stages ofP. antarcticumare generally found in the upper 200 m and their spatial distribution is largely affected by water masses and general circulation. To understand better the mechanisms involved in the geographical distribution of the Antarctic silverfish within the western Ross Sea, an analysis of abundance and distribution was carried out in relation to oceanographic conditions. Samples were collected in summer during the 1998, 2000 and 2004 Italian cruises, covering the majority of the western sector of the Ross Sea. Overall 127 stations were sampled using standard plankton nets for biological samples and CTD and XBT to record abiotic parameters. Although all surveys were in December–January, the yearly results differed in terms of relative abundance of larval developmental stages and of oceanographic characteristics. The 1997–98 samples were characterized by very low abundance overall and by the virtual absence of early larvae. In summers 1999–2000 and 2003–04 the abundance ofP. antarcticumwas one order of magnitude higher than in the earlier season. In 1999–2000 catches were mainly composed of pre-flexion larvae and late postlarvae, while in 2003–04 catches were made up of pre-flexion larvae and juveniles. In January 2000 the Ross Sea summer polynya was fully open as the pack ice was almost completely melted, whereas in January 1998 and 2004 the opening of the polynya was considerably delayed. As a consequence, a delay in phytoplankton blooms and a decrease in primary production were observed in the summer seasons 1998 and 2004 with respect to 2000. The spatial distribution of early life stages, that were confined to the continental shelf and shelf break of the Ross Sea, generally appeared to be positively influenced by transition zones (oceanographic fronts). In addition, most of catches were recorded on or in close proximity to the banks (Pennell, Mawson, Ross and Crary) that characterize the continental shelf of the Ross Sea. On the basis of present findings and literature data, a link between the general circulation in the western Ross Sea and the distribution pattern of the early life stages ofP. antarcticumhas been developed.

Very low frequency electromagnetic phenomena: ‘whistlers’ and micropulsations

1977 ◽  
Vol 279 (963) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Dynamical Behaviour ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Particle Interactions ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
Wave Amplification ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Magnetic Conjugacy ◽  
Sea Area ◽  
The Antarctic

Observations of natural electromagnetic phenomena, embracing frequencies ranging from millihertz to tens of kilohertz, have made a major contribution to our knowledge of the terrestrial environment extending out to many Earth’s radii. The Antarctic has offered exceptional opportunities in this field for a number of reasons, including: (i) the location of Antarctic bases (including Halley Bay) at key magnetic latitudes, (ii) magnetic conjugacy to Northern Hemisphere thunderstorm sources, (iii) low interference levels. Important aspects of this research are the investigation of the role of wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere and that of the structure and dynamical behaviour of the plasmapause, using both passive and active techniques. Comparisons of observations made at antarctic stations and their northern geomagnetic conjugates show close similarities in dominant pulsation periods and demonstrate the uniqueness of the Weddell Sea area in relation to magnetospheric wave amplification at the higher frequencies. An extra dimension to this work is being added, during the International Magnetospheric Study (1976-8), through the development of a chain of stations employing the goniometer (direction-finding) technique pioneered at Halley Bay by Sheffield University.

scholarly journals Decline in body condition in the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Southern Ocean during the 1990s

Polar Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Céline Cunen ◽  
Lars Walløe ◽  
Kenji Konishi ◽  
Nils Lid Hjort
Keyword(s):  
Model Selection ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Antarctic Minke Whale ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Bonaerensis ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractChanges in the body condition of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) have been investigated in a number of studies, but remain contested. Here we provide a new analysis of body condition measurements, with particularly careful attention to the statistical model building and to model selection issues. We analyse body condition data for a large number (4704) of minke whales caught between 1987 and 2005. The data consist of five different variables related to body condition (fat weight, blubber thickness and girth) and a number of temporal, spatial and biological covariates. The body condition variables are analysed using linear mixed-effects models, for which we provide sound biological motivation. Further, we conduct model selection with the focused information criterion (FIC), reflecting the fact that we have a clearly specified research question, which leads us to a clear focus parameter of particular interest. We find that there has been a substantial decline in body condition over the study period (the net declines are estimated to 10% for fat weight, 7% for blubber thickness and 3% for the girth). Interestingly, there seems to be some differences in body condition trends between males and females and in different regions of the Antarctic. The decline in body condition could indicate major changes in the Antarctic ecosystem, in particular, increased competition from some larger krill-eating whale species.

Holocene sediment transport and climate variability of offshore Adélie Land, East Antarctica

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anna Borisovna Albot
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Glacial Meltwater ◽  
The Core ◽  
Grain Size Distributions ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Mass Accumulation Rates

<p>Grain size analysis of the terrigenous fraction of a laminated diatom ooze dating back to 11.4 kyr recovered offshore Adélie Land, East Antarctic margin was used to examine variations in sediment transport, depositional environments and Holocene climate variability at the location. Interpretations were assisted by additional proxies of primary productivity (δ¹³CFA, BSi%), glacial meltwater input (δDFA) and subsurface temperature (TEXL₈₆). Three lithologic intervals with distinct grain size distributions were identified. At ~11.4 ka the diatom ooze has a clear glacimarine influence which gradually decreases until ~8.2 ka. During this time interval, coincident with the early Holocene warm period, sediment is inferred to have been delivered by glacial meltwater plumes and ice-bergs in a calving bay environment. It is suggested that the glaciers in Adélie Land had retreated to their present day grounding lines by 8.2 ka, and from then on sediment was delivered to the site primarily via the Antarctic Coastal and Slope Front Currents, largely through a suspended sediment load and erosion of the surrounding banks. Enhanced biogenic mass accumulation rates and primary production at 8.2 ka suggest onset of warmer climatic conditions, coincident with the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum.  At ~4.5 ka, grain size distributions show a rapid increase in mud content coincident with a transient pulse of glacial meltwater and a sudden decrease in biogenic and terrigenous mass accumulation rates. The increased mud content is inferred to have been deposited under a reduced flow regime of the Antarctic Coastal and Slope Front Currents during the Neoglacial period that followed the final stages of deglaciation in the Ross Sea. It is hypothesised here that cessation of glacial retreat in the Ross Sea and the development of the modern day Ross Sea polynya resulted in enhanced Antarctic Surface Water production which led to increased sea ice growth in the Adélie Land region. The presence of sea ice led to reduced primary production and a decrease in the maximum current strength acting to advect coarser-sized terrigenous sediment to the core site during this time.  Sedimentation rates appear to have a strong correlation with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the last 8.2 kyr, and are inferred to be related to changing sea ice extent and zonal wind strength. Light laminae counts (biogenic bloom events) appear to decrease in frequency during time intervals dominated by El Niño events. Spectral analysis of the greyscale values of core photographs reveals peaks in the 2-7 year band, known ENSO periods, which increase in frequency in the mid-and-late Holocene. Spectral analyses of the sand percent and natural gamma ray (NGR, a measure of clay mineral input) content of the core reveal peaks in the ~40-60, 200-300, 600, 1200-1600 and 2200-2400 year bands. The most significant of these cycles in the NGR data is in 40-60 year band may be related to internal mass balance dynamics of the Mertz Glacier or to the expansion and contraction of the Antarctic circumpolar vortex. Cycles in the 200-300 and 2200-2400 year bands are related to known periods of solar variability, which have previously been found to regulate primary productivity in Antarctic coastal waters. Cycles in the 590-625 and 1200-1600 year bands have a strong signal through the entire record and are common features of Holocene climatic records, however the origin of these cycles is still under debate between solar forcing and an independent mode of internal ocean oscillation.</p>

Pathways and timescales of connectivity around the Antarctic continental shelf 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Dawson ◽  
Adele Morrison ◽  
Veronica Tamsitt ◽  
Matthew England
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Coastal Current ◽  
West Antarctica ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Freshwater Forcing ◽  
Antarctic Continental Shelf ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
Antarctic Slope Current ◽  
The Antarctic

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;The Antarctic margin is surrounded by two westward flowing currents: the Antarctic Slope Current and the Antarctic Coastal Current. The former influences key processes near the Antarctic margin by regulating the flow of heat and nutrients onto and off the continental shelf, while together they &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;advect&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt; nutrients, biological organisms, and temperature and salinity anomalies around the coastline, providing a connective link between different shelf regions. However, the extent to which these currents transport water from one sector of the continental shelf to another, and the timescales over which this occurs, remain poorly understood. Concern that crucial water formation sites around the Antarctic coastline could respond to non-local freshwater forcing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;from ice shel&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;f meltwater&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span xml:lang=&quot;EN-US&quot; data-contrast=&quot;auto&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;motivates a more thorough understanding of zonal connectivity around Antarctica. In this study, we use daily velocity fields from a global high-resolution ocean-sea ice model, combined with the &lt;span&gt;Lagrangian&lt;/span&gt; tracking software Parcels, to investigate the pathways and timescales connecting different regions of the Antarctic continental shelf&lt;span&gt; with a view to understanding&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; the timescales of meltwater transport around the continent&lt;/span&gt;. Virtual particles are released over the continental shelf, poleward of the 1000 &lt;span&gt;metre&lt;/span&gt; isobath, and are tracked for 20 years. Our results show a strong seasonal cycle connecting different sectors of the Antarctic continent, with more particles arriving further downstream during winter than during summer months. Strong advective links exist between West Antarctica and the Ross Sea while shelf geometry in some other regions acts as barriers to transport. We also highlight the varying importance of the Antarctic Slope Current and Antarctic Coastal Current in connecting different sectors of the coastline. Our results help to improve our understanding of circum-Antarctic connectivity &lt;span&gt;and the timescales &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;of meltwater transport from source regions to downstream &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;shelf locations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Further&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;more, t&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;he timescales and pathways we &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;present &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;p&lt;/span&gt;rovide a baseline from which to assess long-term changes in Antarctic coastal circulation due to local and remote forcing.&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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