Collaborative Research: Seasonal Trophic Roles of Euphausia Superba (STRES)

磷虾是南极生态系统中的关键物种，是微型浮游生物与企鹅和鲸鱼等富有魅力的大型动物之间的营养纽带。最近的证据表明，磷虾可能并不是唯一的食浮游动物，这就带来了通过磷虾生态系统进行碳流新途径的可能性。我们对磷虾的看法从食草动物转变为杂食性动物，这打开了几个问题。气候引起的覆盖海冰覆盖的范围、厚度和持续时间的变化预计将改变磷虾可用的捕食场，并随后对磷虾所支持的捕食者系列产生影响。这种底栖猎物-磷虾联系的性质尚未确定，这种联系在春季水华以外的季节周期中可能是至关重要的。DNA技术将被用于识别和量化被捕食的有机体。该项目将测量磷虾的就地摄食生态和行为，并最终衡量这一关键物种的成功。一个总的目标是研究南极半岛西部威廉敏纳湾地区大鳞水蚤就地取食和游泳行为的季节变化，该地区被认为是一个气候变化的地区。了解气候变化的生物影响对于实现社会和经济目标非常重要。此外，项目科学家还将与一个海洋和环境报道小组合作，为年度记者会议设计演示文稿。

Krill, Euphausia superba, is a keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem and provides the trophic link between microscopic plankton and charismatic megafauna such as penguins and whales. Recent evidence suggests krill may not be exclusively planktonivorous, which introduces the potential of new pathways of carbon flux through krill based ecosystems. A change in our view of krill from one of being herbivores to omnivores opens up several questions.Climate induced change in the extent, thickness and duration of overlying sea ice coverage is expected to change the prey fields available to krill, and to have subsequent effects on the suite of predators supported by krill. The nature of this benthic prey?krill link, which may be crucial in those parts of the seasonal cycle other than the well studied spring bloom, is yet to be determined. DNA techniques will be used to identify and quantify the prey organisms. This project will measure the in situ feeding ecology and behavior of krill and, ultimately, the success of this key species. An overall goal isto investigate seasonal changes in Euphausia superba in-situ feeding and swimming behavior in the Wilhelmina Bay region of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) area, known to be a region of changing climate. Understanding the biological impacts of climate change is important to societal and economic goals. The project scientists will additionally team with a marine and environmental reporting group to design presentations for an annual journalist meeting.