The Biology of Gelatinous Zooplankton: Studies on Ctenophores, Salps and Pteropods in Antarctic Waters

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Gelatinous zooplankton comprise an important and sometimes dominant component of the total Antarctic marine zooplankton, but have received so little study that even the systematics is poorly developed for many taxa. Knowledge of these organisms is essential for understanding the structure and function of the overall marine ecosystem. Harbison proposes a generalized study of three important groups (ctenophores, salps and pteropods). Research will include work on systematics, feeding behavior and rates, and in the case of pteropods, growth rate, age structure of populations and role of their shells in the oceanic carbonate cycle. Organisms will be collected mainly by SCUBA equipped divers, and will be studied both in situ and in shipboard or laboratory aquaria. Research will be conducted at McMurdo Station, at Palmer Station, and on shipboard.