Marine benthos from Davis Station, Eastern Antarctica

Abstract

Marine benthos from 24 nearshore sites in the vicinity of Davis station, eastern Antarctica, was sampled from the sea-ice. The sediments were poorly sorted and mainly of wind-blown origin. Thirty-two animal taxa were recognized and most crustaceans were identified to species level. Three habitat types were characterized by their community composition and physical environment: (1) species-rich areas with abundant macrophytes; (2) deep anoxic muddy basins with deposit-feeding species; and (3) poorly sorted sands with mainly motile fauna. Two amphipod species were recorded as new for eastern Antarctica.