Kelp forest as a habitat for mobile epifauna: case study of <em>Caprella septentrionalis</em> Kröyer, 1838 (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in an Arctic glacial fjord

Marta Ronowicz; Joanna Legeżyńska; Piotr Kukliński; Maria Włodarska-Kowalczuk

doi:10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037

Kelp forest as a habitat for mobile epifauna: case study of Caprella septentrionalis Kröyer, 1838 (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in an Arctic glacial fjord

Marta Ronowicz Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences
Joanna Legeżyńska Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences
Piotr Kukliński Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences
Maria Włodarska-Kowalczuk Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037

Keywords: Caprellid amphipod, Arctic fjord, kelp forest, population structure, distribution, macroalgae

Abstract

Distribution and abundance of the amphipod Caprella septentrionalis in relation to environmental conditions and habitat preferences were investigated in a kelp forest in Hornsund, Spitsbergen. Three sampling sites differed in hydrodynamics, organic and inorganic suspension concentration, and sedimentation rates. None of these abiotic factors or species of a macroalgal host appeared to have a significant influence on C. septentrionalis abundance and size range. An apparent preference towards the blade parts of the algal thalli was observed. These results support the idea of C. septentrionalis as a generalist Arcticboreal species that takes advantage of the protective nature of kelp forests.

Keywords: Caprellid amphipod; Arctic fjord; kelp forest; population structure; distribution; macroalgae

(Published: 20 November 2013)

Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 21037, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037

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Published

2013-11-20

How to Cite

Ronowicz M., Legeżyńska J., Kukliński P., & Włodarska-Kowalczuk M. (2013). Kelp forest as a habitat for mobile epifauna: case study of <em>Caprella septentrionalis</em> Kröyer, 1838 (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in an Arctic glacial fjord. Polar Research, 32. https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.21037

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Issue

Vol 32 (2013)

Section

Research/review articles

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