Abstract
During an expedition into the Arctic Ocean, in September 2004, six different species of amphipods were collected in the ice above 82°N. All six species (Apherusa glacialis, Gammarus wilkitzkii, Onisimus nanseni, O. glacialis, Pleusymtes karstensi and Eusirus holmii) were observed to be living adjacent to the sea ice or partly within its brine channels. The nature of the association with the ice for the last two species is uncertain, but the finding raises important questions regarding our knowledge of the sympagic fauna. Based on the obtained material, the two species E. holmii and P. karstensi are redescribed, and their association with the sea ice is discussed.
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Acknowledgements
We thank UNIS and ZMUC for providing excellent logistical support as well as an inspirational scientific environment. The support of Jørgen Olesen, ZMUC, use of facilities and hospitality are greatly appreciated. Bjørn Gulliksen is thanked for the use of photos in Fig. 6a and c. Crew and colleagues on R/V Jan Mayen AB-320 cruise are thanked for their assistance in the field. This study was supported by Nordic Council of Ministers “Nordlys” stipendium, Knud Højgaards Fond, and Frederik and Emma Kraghs Mindelegat.
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Macnaughton, M.O., Thormar, J. & Berge, J. Sympagic amphipods in the Arctic pack ice: redescriptions of Eusirus holmii Hansen, 1887 and Pleusymtes karstensi (Barnard, 1959). Polar Biol 30, 1013–1025 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0260-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0260-8