Origin and Evolution of Antarctic and Deep-Sea Macroinfauna: Systematics and Reproductive Patterns of Polychaetes

University Of Massachusetts Boston, Dorchester MA

Investigators

Abstract

The International Antarctic Benthic Deep-Sea Biodiversity Program begins planned field work on the German Icebreaker, R/V Polarstern during the 2001-2002 austral season. The proposed research for this program addresses the following themes: 1) the origins of the deep-sea benthic fauna in relation to the Antarctic shelf and linkages to the deep-sea faunas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; 2) development of hypotheses to explain high biodiversity in the deep sea; 3) deep-sea benthic community structure in the Southern Ocean; and 4) biological process including reproduction and larval development of benthic invertebrates. Within this scheme, the proposed work will focus on seven polychaete families. During the course of two cruises, materials will be collected to map the spatial and bathymetric distributions of polychaete families while incorporating GIS mapping software. The systematics of the selected polychaete families will be examined. Furthermore, larval and post-larval stages will be observed in an effort to understand the mode of larval dispersal for Antarctic and deep-sea polychaetes. This information will contribute to an understanding of the origins and evolution of these families in the Southern Ocean.