Bioerosive processes in Antarctic seas

Citation
C. Cerrano et al., Bioerosive processes in Antarctic seas, POLAR BIOL, 24(10), 2001, pp. 790-792
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Biology
Journal title
POLAR BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
07224060 → ACNP
Volume
24
Issue
10
Year of publication
2001
Pages
790 - 792
Database
ISI
SICI code
0722-4060(200110)24:10<790:BPIAS>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
To date, marine boring organisms are not known for the whole Antarctic regi on, probably because of the scarcity of calcareous substrata. In Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea), the study of some populations of the scallop Adamussium co lbecki allowed us to record a bioerosive activity on carbonates due to a ch lorophyte, belonging to the genus Phaeophyla. The same kind of infestation was also observed on the thick shells of the gastropod Neobuccinum eatoni. The algae actively bore the light-exposed portions of the shells showing, i n. A. colbecki, an infestation that is strongly size dependent; the ageing of the periostracum is among the most probable causes. The pattern of infes tation is not homogeneous in different populations, probably in relation to irradiance intensity; depth, sedimentation rates and ice cover negatively affect the growth and distribution of Phaeophyla sp.