Feeding behaviour, ecological role in the marine food web and population trends of the Antarctic shag Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis and the South Georgia shag P. georgianus in Antarctica are analysed. The diving depths and duration recorded for these shags are the deepest and longest among all flying birds in Antarctica and match deep dives performed by small Antarctic penguins. Individual shags of both sexes partition foraging depths and food resources, which might diminish intra-specific competition. Like other sub-Antarctic shags, P. bransfieldensis and P. georgianus are bottom feeders that prey predominantly on demersal fish. In the southern Scotia Arc and west Antarctic Peninsula, nototheniids, mainly Notothenia coriiceps, constitute their main prey. Shag partners alternate the time at sea and, as the energy requirements at the nest increase, they increase the number but reduce the duration of the feeding trips. A steady declining trend in the number of breeding pairs of both species has been observed in the last decade at several Antarctic localities; this phenomenon at the South Shetland Islands might be at least partially explained by the effect of the commercial fishery on their prey. In inshore shallow waters shags occupy the trophic niche of main predators of demersal fish and play an important ecological role as regulators of populations of particular fish prey that have marked site fidelity. The potential use of shags as biomonitors in Antarctica is discussed.

Polychaetes, the dominant macrofaunal taxa of the Antarctic soft sediments, provided more than 40% of the animals found in Martel Inlet. However, little information is available on the composition of meiofaunal communities in polar areas. This study identified the meiofaunal polychaete species and described their bathymetric distribution in the nearshore zone. Sediment cores were taken by divers from 6–25 m depth in the summer of 1991 and 1994 in front of the Brazilian Antarctic Station (Martel Inlet, Admiralty Bay). Additional sampling was done at the 18 m depth in 1994 in order to study the influence of ice scouring. A total of 1895 specimens in 17 families were found. Three species (Apistobranchus glacierae, Leitoscoloplos kerguelensis and Ophryotrocha notialis), all of them belonging to the temporary meiofauna, provided more than 70% of the total polychaete fraction. This meiofaunal component showed similar distributional patterns to those of the macrofaunal polychaetes in this area.

The identities of the 12 lichenicolous fungi described as new to science from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands by Carroll W. Dodge between 1938 and 1968 are reassessed on the basis of the original publications, and where extant the original collections and slides in the Farlow Herbarium and Reference Library (Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA). Typifications are discussed and lectotypes and neotypes designated as necessary. Only one species is accepted in its original placement (Phacopsis usneae) and one had already been transferred to an appropriate genus (Didymella cladoniae to Zwackhiomyces). Six prove to be synonyms of previously described species, and four are combined into other genera here: Arthonia parmeliae (syn. Diplonaevia parmeliae), Carbonea antarctica (syn. Alectoria antarctica), Sphaerellothecium buelliae (syn. Orbicula buelliae), and Weddelomyces gasparriniae (syn. Phaeospora gasparriniae) combs. nov. The generic name Thelidiola is also confirmed as a synonym of Muellerella. In addition, as a result of earlier misinterpretations of Dodge’s taxa, two new species are described: Endococcus matzeri, and Zwachkiomyces diederichii spp. nov. Intralichen lichenum is also reported from the Antarctic for the first time. Descriptions and illustrations are included where appropriate.

The distribution and abundance of free-living arthropods from soil and under stones were surveyed at the Cape Hallett ice-free area (ASPA No. 106), North Victoria Land, Antarctica. A total of 327 samples from 67 plots yielded 11 species of arthropods comprised of three Collembola: Cryptopygus cisantarcticus, Friesea grisea and Isotoma klovstadi and eight mites: Coccorhagidia gressitti, Eupodes wisei, Maudheimia petronia, Nanorchestes sp., Stereotydeus belli, S. punctatus, Tydeus setsukoae and T. wadei. Arthropods were absent from areas occupied by the large Adélie penguin colony. There was some distinction among arthropod communities of different habitats, with water and a lichen species (indicative of scree slope habitats) ranking as significant community predictors alongside spatial variables in a Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Recent changes to the management plan for ASPA No. 106 may need to be revisited as the recommended campsite is close to the area of greatest arthropod diversity.

Several sub-Antarctic penguin populations have exhibited decreasing trends in the last 5–20 years. At Iles Kerguelen, the gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) has decreased by approximately 30% over the last 15 years. This decrease is likely to be related to reduced food availability for this coastal species. We discuss this decrease with regard to the impact of overfishing and to the potential effects of climate changes on marine food webs.

In the face of climate variability and change, science in Antarctica needs to address increasingly complex questions. Individual small studies are being replaced by multinational and multidisciplinary research programmes. The Latitudinal Gradient Project (LGP) is one such approach that combines a series of smaller studies under a single broad hypothesis to provide information that uses a gradient in latitude as a surrogate for environmental gradients, particularly climate. In this way latitudinal differences can be used to indicate climate change differences. The Key Questions for the LGP were developed via national workshops in Italy, New Zealand, and the USA and via two international workshops at SCAR conferences. Science and logistics are currently jointly shared by New Zealand, Italy and the USA, and cover marine and inland ecosystem studies along the Victoria Land coast from 72° to 78°S with plans for extensions to 85°S. The LGP forms part of the SCAR Programme Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica. This Special Issue summarizes some of the work in the first three years of the LGP (2002–2005), between McMurdo Sound and Cape Hallett, to form a basis for future comparative studies as the research shifts along the latitudinal span in the next decade.

Antarctica is regarded as one of the most pristine parts of the Earth but even this remote ecosystem is affected by contamination and high levels of certain heavy metals, such as cadmium, which may occur naturally in Antarctic waters. The bivalve scallop Adamussium colbecki is considered a key species of Antarctic benthic ecosystems and a sensitive target for bioaccumulation of xenobiotics and metals. Since cholinesterases (ChEs) in the adductor muscle of A. colbecki presumably play a prominent physiological role through regulation of swimming movements, the main aims of this study was to characterize ChE activities in adductor muscle of A. colbecki and to investigate their sensitivity to organophosphate pesticides and heavy metals. The results suggest that an acetylcholinesterase-like enzyme in the adductor muscle of the scallop has low sensitivity to organophosphates but was significantly inhibited by exposure to cadmium.

We provide the first comprehensive account of habitat preference, mating, oviposition and developmental stages of Parochlus steinenii. There are eight records from the South Shetland Islands. On King George Island, none out of 40 temporary ponds and 9% out of 44 lakes with variable water levels were inhabited by P. steinenii. By contrast, 94% of 52 lakes with stable water levels were occupied, for 92% of which breeding was confirmed. Lakes were occupied independently of their height above sea level ranging from 5 to 115 m. The midges aggregated at two different microhabitats at the shoreline of lakes. Terrestrial swarms of more than 5000 individuals at open wind sheltered rocks were strongly dominated by males. Their mean density was 40, their maximum 150 ind. cm−2. Aggregations under stones at the water edge showed a female-biased or equal sex ratio; their densities seasonally increased from 0.17 to 2.02 ind. cm−2. Female midges produced one to four egg batches totalling on average 247 eggs/female. Four larval stages can be clearly discriminated by head length. Our data on the habitat preferences and the high reproductive output predict that P. steinenii will rapidly colonize habitats that become available in the course of the regional warming of the Antarctic Peninsula region.

Eleven aerobic heterotrophic bacteria isolated from soil samples taken at c. 1800 m altitude from La Gorce Mountains, Antarctica, were characterized in terms of carbon source utilization, enzymatic activities and tolerance to environmental stressors. The bacteria typically formed pigmented colonies on agar plates and were initially observed on media designed for isolation of algae and cyanobacteria. The bacteria were purified and assigned to the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes or Proteobacteria divisions following 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. While some of the isolates are most likely to belong to the genera Arthrobacter or Brevundimonas, others may belong to novel genera or species. The Gram-positive Actinobacteria used the widest range of carbon sources for growth. Brevundimonas P7 produced lipases, phosphatases, proteases and glycosyl-hydrolases. The Gram-positive bacteria were more tolerant to freeze-thaw than the Gram-negative isolates. No isolates survived more than 10 minutes ultraviolet irradiation. All isolates were unaffected by 24 h desiccation. This study adds to knowledge of the bacterial diversity of soils from high altitude (1800 m), high latitude (86°30'S) locations within Antarctica.

The soils of the Seabee Hook area of Cape Hallett in northern Victoria Land, Antarctica, were mapped and characterized. Seabee Hook is a low-lying gravel spit of beach deposits built up by coastal currents carrying basalt material from nearby cliffs. Seabee Hook is the location of an Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony which influences the soils with additions of guano, dead birds, eggshells and feathers. A soil-landscape model was developed and a soil association was identified between the soils formed on mounds (relict beach ridges) favoured by penguins for nests (Typic Haplorthel) and the soils in the areas between the mounds (Typic Haplorthel/Typic Aquorthel). Soils formed on the mounds inhabited by penguins contained guano in the upper 50 cm, overlying sub-rounded beach-deposited gravel and sand. Soils between mounds had a thin veneer (< 5 cm) of guano overlying basaltic gravelly sand similar to that in the lower parts of the mound soils. The soils had high concentrations of nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, cadmium, zinc, copper, and increased electrical conductivity, within horizons influenced by penguin guano. Five buried penguin bones were collected from the base of soil profiles and radiocarbon dated. The dates indicate that Seabee Hook has been colonized by penguins for at least 1000 years.

Molgolaimus is a genus of free-living marine nematodes which is found in high densities (10–35% of the total community) up to 2000 m depth. Its occurrence is often associated with organically enriched and recently disturbed areas. Currently, only 16 species have been described, mainly from shallow waters. The present study contributes 17 new species mainly from the Weddell Sea but also from the Pacific Ocean, and provides an illustrated polytomous identification key to species level. The 33 Molgolaimus species described can be identified based on just a few morphometric features: spicule length, body length, anal body diameter, tail length and pharynx length. A first insight into the biogeography of this deep sea genus at species level is presented. A comparison of morphometric characteristics between species suggests that the most similar species co-occur in the same geographical region, rather than within the same bathymetric zones or similar ecosystems separated over long distances. These observations suggest that deep sea nematodes may not have a common origin but might have derived “recently” from shallow water taxa. Therefore, global distribution of nematodes could be explained by means of palaeogeographical events.

The land-fast ice and the platelet ice layer off Adélie Land are inhabited by a dense and diversified diatom community. Along with Bacillariophyceae, Archaeomonadaceae sensu Deflandre are present and relatively abundant. These modern siliceous nanostructures are similar to the nanofossils described by geologists in marine sediments from upper Cretaceous to Pliocene, Pleistocene and recently in Holocene and modern sediments, and are probably related to chrysophyte cysts. The two most abundant taxa were Achaeomonas cf areolata Deflandre and Litheusphaerella cf spectabilis Deflandre. The other taxa were not common. Despite the taxonomic uncertainty of immature forms, the diversity of archaeomonads was high. Three new species of Archaeomonas are described. The morphology of A. cf areolata is highly variable, showing a possible diversification over geologic time. Litheusphaerella cf spectabilis also shows some differences between fossil and modern specimens. Recent studies confirm that archaeomonads are extant in diverse marine water bodies and recent sediments. There is growing evidence that these siliceous structures represent possible reliable proxies of sea ice extent, even if their presence in geologic time is not always linked exclusively to sea ice. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact origin of these cysts and their real taxonomic affinities.

In the summer 2000–01, thermal monitoring of the permafrost active layer within various terrestrial sites covered by lichen, moss or grasses was undertaken at Jubany (King George Island) and Signy Island in the Maritime Antarctic. The results demonstrated the buffering effect of vegetation on ground surface temperature (GST) and the relationship between vegetation and active layer thickness. Vegetation type and coverage influenced the GST in both locations with highest variations and values in the Deschampsia and Usnea sites and the lowest variations and values in the Jubany moss site. Active layer thickness ranged from 57 cm (Jubany moss site) to 227 cm (Signy Deschampsia site). Active layer thickness data from Signy were compared with data collected at the same location four decades earlier. Using a regression equation for air temperature versus ground surface temperatures the patterns of changing air temperature over time suggest that the active layer thickness increased c. 30 cm between 1963 and 1990 and then decreased 30 cm between 1990 and 2000. The documented increased rate of warming (2°C ± 1) since 1950 for air temperatures recorded in the South Orkney Islands suggests that the overall trend of active layer thickness increase will be around 1 cm year−1.

Seabee Hook is a low lying gravel spit adjacent to Cape Hallett, northern Victoria Land, in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica and hosts an Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) rookery. Dipwells were inserted to monitor changes in depth to, and volume of, groundwater and tracer tests were conducted to estimate aquifer hydraulic conductivity and groundwater velocity. During summer (November–February), meltwater forms a shallow, unconfined, aquifer perched on impermeable ice cemented soil. Groundwater extent and volume depends on the amount of snowfall as meltwater is primarily sourced from melting snow drifts. Groundwater velocity through the permeable gravel and sand was up to 7.8 m day−1, and hydraulic conductivities of 4.7 × 10−4 m s−1 to 3.7 × 10−5 m s−1 were measured. The presence of the penguin rookery, and the proximity of the sea, affects groundwater chemistry with elevated concentrations of salts (1205 mg L−1 sodium, 332 mg L−1 potassium) and nutrients (193 mg L−1 nitrate, 833 mg L−1 ammonia, 10 mg L−1 total phosphorus) compared with groundwater sourced away from the rookery, and with other terrestrial waters in Antarctica.

The Antarctic plunderfishes Artedidraco lönnbergi and A. skottsbergi are small, bottom dwelling species inhabiting the continental shelf of the High Antarctic Zone. During cruise 97–9 of the US RV Nathaniel Palmer during the summer in the south-western Ross Sea, samples of both species were collected by means of bottom trawling. On the basis of macroscopic and histological analysis, we present the first data on the reproductive characteristics of these two plunderfishes, including gametogenesis, spawning period and absolute fecundity. Histologically, we found immature (stage I and II) and mature (stage V) females in both species, whereas developing females (stage III) were found only in A. skottsbergi. All examined male specimens of A. skottsbergi were in the final stage of spermatogenesis (stage III), whereas male A. lönnbergi were immature (stage I), mature (stage IV) and post-reproductive (stage V) individuals. In both species, spawning takes place in summer during December and January. Absolute fecundity was very low, with less than 100 and 200 oocytes in A. lönnbergi and A. skottsbergi, respectively. These data are compared with those reported in literature for other artedidraconids.