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Predation impact of the notothenioid fish Trematomus bernacchii on the size structure of the scallop Adamussium colbecki in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

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Abstract

Biotic interactions are particularly relevant in stable environments, such as the High Antarctic areas. Among them, predation has a key role in structuring community and population variables, including size-frequency distribution. This study aims to quantify the impact of predation by the notothenioid fish Trematomus bernacchii on the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki-size distribution. We developed a model of this impact that estimates the size distribution of the preyed scallop population, taking into account for the predator-size distribution, sex structure, and daily consumption. Comparing this size distribution of the preyed A. colbecki with the living populations at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica), we were able to detect a relevant impact of fish predation. Fish-size frequency resulted to be the major factor shaping prey-size structure, with significant differences between predation by males and females. Our findings, given the key role of the two species in the littoral ecosystem of Terra Nova Bay (Antarctic Special Protected Area 161), fall into the framework of ecosystem management of High Antarctic coastal areas, particularly in the actual context of climate change, and increasing anthropogenic impact.

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Modified from Vacchi et al. (2000)

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Acknowledgements

This study has been possible because of the ACAB project, which was supported by the Progetto Nazionale Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA). We are also grateful to the Alfred Wegener Institute for the support and contribute to the Master Thesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DISTAV, University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy

    Ombretta Dell’Acqua & Mariachiara Chiantore

  2. Alfred Wegener Institute, Columbusstraße, 27568, Bremerhaven, Germany

    Thomas Brey

  3. ISMAR (Institute of Marine Sciences) CNR Genova, Via De Marini 6, 16149, Genova, Italy

    Marino Vacchi

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  1. Ombretta Dell’Acqua
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  3. Marino Vacchi
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Correspondence to Ombretta Dell’Acqua.

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Dell’Acqua, O., Brey, T., Vacchi, M. et al. Predation impact of the notothenioid fish Trematomus bernacchii on the size structure of the scallop Adamussium colbecki in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Polar Biol 40, 1557–1568 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2077-4

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