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

磷虾（Euphausia superba）是南极生态系统的关键物种，在微小的浮游生物和企鹅、鲸鱼等有魅力的巨型动物之间提供了营养联系。最近的证据表明，磷虾可能并不完全以浮游生物为食，这就引入了通过磷虾为基础的生态系统进行碳通量的新途径的潜力。我们对磷虾的看法从草食动物到杂食动物的转变带来了几个问题。气候引起的海冰覆盖范围、厚度和持续时间的变化预计会改变磷虾的捕食范围，并对磷虾支持的捕食者产生后续影响。这种底栖动物的猎物是什么？磷虾之间的联系，在那些季节循环的部分可能是至关重要的，而不是经过充分研究的春季开花，还有待确定。DNA技术将用于识别和量化猎物生物。该项目将测量磷虾的原位摄食生态和行为，并最终衡量这一关键物种的成功。总体目标是调查南极半岛西部威廉敏纳湾地区（WAP）已知的气候变化地区的原位摄食和游泳行为的季节变化。了解气候变化的生物影响对实现社会和经济目标至关重要。项目科学家还将与一个海洋和环境报告小组合作，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.