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Metabolic rate, genetic and microclimate variation among springtail populations from sub-Antarctic Marion Island

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Abstract

Measurement of metabolic rates (made at 10°C) of individuals of the springtail Cryptopygus antarcticus travei from six geographically distinct populations on sub-Antarctic Marion Island were combined with mitochondrial DNA (COI) haplotype analysis to examine in parallel both physiological and genetic variation of distinct populations. We found evidence of genetic differentiation among populations and a general indication of long-term isolation with limited gene flow. While we found support for an overall pattern of metabolic rate structure among populations from different geographic locations on the island (mean rate = 0.0009–0.0029 μl O2 μg−1 h−1 for populations of a mean individual mass of 8–26 μg), we were unable to demonstrate a coherent common pattern between this and genetic variation. However, spatial structure in metabolic rate variation was strongly related to the extent of variability in microclimate among sites, and also showed some indication of a phylogeographic signal. Thus, over the relatively short timescale of Marion Island’s history (<1 million years), the periodic geographic barriers that have driven population differentiation from a molecular perspective may also have resulted in some physiological differentiation of populations.

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Acknowledgments

We thank T. Hawes and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. We thank members of the Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Stellenbosch, and colleagues on Marion Island, particularly Valdon Smith, Charlene Scheepers and Elrike Marais. AM was supported by a New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission Top Achievers Doctoral Scholarship. This paper forms a contribution to the SCAR EBA research programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Angela McGaughran

  2. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK

    Peter Convey

  3. South Australian Museum, PO Box 5000, Adelaide, Australia

    Mark I. Stevens

  4. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, PO Box 5001, Adelaide, Australia

    Mark I. Stevens

  5. Department of Botany and Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    Steven L. Chown

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  1. Angela McGaughran
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  4. Steven L. Chown
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Correspondence to Angela McGaughran.

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McGaughran, A., Convey, P., Stevens, M.I. et al. Metabolic rate, genetic and microclimate variation among springtail populations from sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Polar Biol 33, 909–918 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0767-2

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