Systematic survey and abundance investigations of the microfauna (tardigrades, nematodes and rotifers) in the meltpools of the McMurdo Ice Shelf

Quantitative examinations of the microfauna associated with the algal felts in small melt pools on the McMurdo Ice Shelf in the vicinity of Bratina Island off the northen tip of Brown Peninsula was conducted. The animal groups studied were Tardigrades, Nematodes and Rotifers. Eight ponds were selected to encompass a wide range of physical and chemical conditions which not represent the variability of ponds on the ice shelf. Therefore, a range of envrionmental conditions that each species could tolerate was determined and the abundance of each animal in pools of vastly different chemistry was compared. Samples for analyses were cores driven through the algal mat and 3-4cm into the underlying sediment. Five replicate samples and water samples were collected from each pond per day between January 17-24, 1988 at the same time each day (2300-2330h). Animals were extracted from the core and abundances counted. The optimal time of extraction, extraction efficiency and the vertical distribution of fauna in ponds was also investigated.