Harpacticoida Copepod Associated to Macroalgae Himantothallus Grandifolius (Ochrophyta, Desmarestiaceae) from Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetlands Islands, Maritime Antarctica)

Abstract

is research work is a pioneer study related to the Harpacticoida Copepod species of the phytal environment of Antarctica, contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of copepods, associated to the macroalgae of Admiralty Bay, especially those of the Harpacticoida Order. Samples of the four genus types of Harpacticoida Copepod were found in a macroalgae (Himantothallus grandifolius) especially in its appressoria, collected in the melt water area of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Archipelago, South Shetlands, Antarctica: Stygonitocrella (Ameiridae Family), Porcellidium (Porcellidiidae Family), Alteutha potter (Peltidiidae Family), Tisbisoma (Paramesochridae Family). e copepods found in this study possess adaptation qualities that may facilitate the exploration of macroalgae, such as: epibenthic body format, which allows greater swimming capacity or a dorso-ventrally attened body, with prehensile rst pair of legs or with a large maxilliped subchelate, the latter being adaptations to be able to x itself to thalloid surfaces, in locations with strong water currents. e genus Porcellidium and the Paramesochridae Family are frequently found associated to macroalgae. Alteutha potter is described in literature as planktonic. However, we suggest that the specie can be benthonic and is capable of migrating to zooplankton. Stygonitocrellaé is described as a species of continental and subterranean waters. e fact that algae have been found at just 15m depth with strong water melt current can help explain its presence. e identi cations continue underway and include analysis of phytal samples of other macroalgae collected in the Admiralty Bay from 2010 to 2011.