Distribution and ecology of chironomids (Diptera, Chironomidae) on Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica (original) (raw)
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Ukraïnsʹkij antarktičnij žurnal, 2021
Given the recent climate changes and their impact on the Antarctic Peninsula ecosystems, the emergence of invasive species, and increased tourism activity in this region, monitoring changes in the habitats of species native to the Antarctic Peninsula region is necessary. One such species is the Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica (Chironomidae). This insect is endemic to the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands. Thorough studies of changes in the range of this species have not been performed in recent decades. In this study, we present the area of Belgica antarctica according to the collections of biological samples during 2007-2021 (XII, XIV, XVI, XXIV, and XXV Ukrainian Antarctic Expeditions). This Antarctic midge was recorded at 26 localities on the Antarctic Peninsula and 212 localities on 55 surrounding islands between 66°08′38.4′′ S, 65°43′37.1′′ W (Cape Evensen, Stresher Peninsula, opposite the Marie Island, west coast of Graham Land) and 62°11′44.7′′ S, 58°57′40.6′′ W (King George Island, South Shetland Islands) from southwest to northeast .
The biology of a population of the subantarctic chironomid midge Eretmoptera murphyi Schaeffer, introduced to Signy Island in the maritime Antarctic more than 20 years ago, is described. Investment in reproduction by the parthenogenetic adult females is high, with individuals producing single egg batches containing ca. 85 eggs and having a dry weight of more than twice that of the spent female. In culture, egg development rates to hatching are increased significantly by increasing temperature from 2 ° to 12°C (a range covering mean summer temperatures found in the species' maritime Antarctic habitat, and natural habitat in the subantarctic). The gelatinous matrix of the egg batch forms a skin on drying, which may reduce further water loss, and allow the eggs or pre-emergence larvae to survive the short periods of desiccating conditions likely to occur in their natural habitat. The biology of E. murphyi is compared with that of the endemic maritime Antarctic species Belgica antarctica, showing much similarity. E. murphyi possesses several preadaptations which allow it to survive the harsher conditions of the maritime Antarctic.
European Journal of …, 2007
Desiccation resistance of adult males and females of the midge, Belgica antarctica (Diptera: Chironomidae) was evaluated to determine how this short-lived stage maintains water balance in the dry Antarctic environment. Both sexes had slightly lower water content (60%) and a higher dehydration tolerance (>30% water loss) than most other insects. Water loss rates were high and increased rapidly at temperatures above 15°C, indicating that the adult midges are more hygric than many other polar terrestrial arthropods. Water gain was accomplished by free water uptake with minimal or no contribution from absorption of water vapor or metabolic water production. Parameters related to water balance did not differ among populations from different islands. Overall, the high water requirements of the adult midge appear to be a significant challenge and presumably dictate that the adult midges must emerge during the brief period when free water is readily available and seek protected microhabitats that facilitate water retention.
Records of Parochlus steinenii in the Maritime Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions
ZooKeys, 2021
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-An...
Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2019
1. Rising human activity in Antarctica, combined with continued warming of the polar climate, means the risk of non-native terrestrial species colonising and establishing in its biodiversity-and nutrient-poor ecosystems is increasing. 2. Of the five non-native invertebrate species currently in terrestrial Antarctica, the flightless midge Eretmoptera murphyi (Schaeffer, The Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences 2:90-94, 1914) is perhaps the most persistent insect invader. Accidentally introduced to Signy Island (60 S) in the 1960s from sub-Antarctic South Georgia (54 S), E. murphyi has steadily increased its distribution, however, its status has not been reassessed for a decade. 3. Here, we update the distribution of E. murphyi on Signy, specifically assessing whether footpaths to regularly visited research sites represent dispersal corridors. 4. Our findings show that both the abundance and range of E. murphyi have increased significantly since 2009, particularly along paths leading away from the original introduction site, and that the species is now on the cusp of moving into new valley systems. 5. We identify a moderate association with soil/substrate and vegetation types and build Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models to predict areas of the island that may be at highest risk of future colonisation. 6. As a detritivore with no competitors or predators, E. murphyi may have a major impact. For example, accelerating nutrient cycling which may have wider impacts on all levels of biodiversity. 7. This study highlights the need for an assessment of current biosecurity protocols applied within the Antarctic Treaty system, as well as the need for systematic regular monitoring of introduced and invasive species in Antarctica.
European Journal of Soil Biology, 1999
Ile de la Possession (Iles Crozet), an Indian Ocean sub-Antarctic island, the two typical habitats are the fell-field above 150 m in altitude and the moorland in low altitude zones. The boundary between fell-field and moorland is usually very sharp (less than 5 m). This paper presents the fEst full-year pitfall trapping study of insect activity on both sides of this boundary, with particular reference to the habitat distribution and annual distribution of surface activity of the two endemic carabids of Iles Crozet: Amblystogenium pacificurn Putzeys and A. minimum Luff. A. pacificurn was abundant in moorland (399 specimens) while A. minimum was vanishingly rare (three specimens). In fell-field in contrast, both species were taken in similar although small numbers (86 and 92, respectively). A. paczjkum remained active in the moorland for the whole year, with no winter reduction in trap catches. Pitfall trapping results also showed no surface activity by A. pac$kum in winter on fell-field, where both sexes here likely maintain the rqquired level of both feeding and mate encounter in the inter-stone crevices of the multi-layered stony part of the fellfield. 0 1999 Editions scientifiques et mCdicales Elsevier SAS Coleoptera / Carabidae / activity I pitfall trap/ sub-Antarctic R&urn6-ActivitC annuelle de deux ColCopthres Carabidae endkmiques d'une ile subantarctique. Sur l'ile de la Possession (iles Crozet), une ile subantarctique de 1'ocCan Indien, les zones pierreuses situCes au-dessus de 150 m d'altitude (<< fell-field >>) et le milieu herbeux de basse altitude constituent deux habitats CaractCristiques. La transition entre ces deux types de milieu est t&s Ctroite, constituant gCnCralement une bande de moins de 5 m. Cet article prCsente les rCsultats de la premiere Ctude consacrke & 1'activitC annuelle des insectes (pots-pikges) de part et d'autre de cette frontiitre. L'activitC par habitat et dans le temps est CtudiCe en detail chez deux espkces de Carabidae endCmiques des iles Crozet : Amblystogenium pacijkum Putzeys et A. minimum Luff. A. pacificum est abondant dans le milieu herbeux (399 individus) alors qu'A. minimum y est tr&s rare (trois individus). Sur le << fell-field >), les captures des deux especes sont du m&me ordre, avec des effectifs intermidiaires (respectivement 86 et 92 individus). A. pacificurn reste actif en milieu herbeux tout au long de I'annCe, saris rCduction hivemale des captures. Les r&ultats obtenus grdce aux pots pi&ges indiquent Cgalement qu'A. pacifcunz ne se dkplace pas B la surface du CC fell-field B durant l'hiver. I1 est probable que Ies individus des deux sexes parviennent ?I maintenir activitCs de nutrition et possibilit& de,rencontre de partenaires dans les petites crevasses sit&es entre les pierres constituant le pavage de surface du <f fell-field D.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012
Two species of chironomid midges are currently described in the genus Belgica Jacobs, 1900. Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 is endemic to parts of the maritime Antarctic, and Belgica albipes is endemic to Îles Crozet, a sub-Antarctic archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. The relationships between these species, and their closest known relative (Eretmoptera murphyi Schaeffer, 1914, endemic to sub-Antarctic South Georgia), were examined by sequencing DNA fragments for domains 1 and 3-5 of 28S ribosomal DNA and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1). The resulting molecular relationships between the three species were unclear, although their position within the subfamily Orthocladiinae of the Chironomidae, as generated by classical taxonomy, was confirmed. Our data reinforce earlier doubts, based on classical morphological approaches, that the generic placement of E. murphyi may be incorrect. Further analyses may indeed confirm that the species represents a third member of the genus Belgica. Genetic distance analysis, limited to the barcode region of cox1, indicated high differentiation between the two populations of B. albipes sampled (one obtained from the type location), suggesting the likely presence of cryptic species within this taxon, and that the taxonomic status of this species should be revised. Analysis of cox1 sequences in B. antarctica highlighted a strong genetic structure between populations obtained from 12 locations along the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands archipelago, with a number of distinctive mtDNA lineages inhabiting geographically distinct areas. In particular, we found four different haplogroups constituting geographically close but genetically distinct populations, a pattern likely to have been encouraged by the brachyptery of the members of this genus. We suggest that the different genetic patterns shown by each haplogroup have probably been determined by historical dispersal and colonization events during the Pleistocene, and are consistent with their survival in refuges in situ during successive glacial maxima over this period.