The cryopelagic meroplankton community of Gerlache Inlet (2006-2007 season)

Cryopelagic (directly under the ice) plankton samples were collected in Gerlache Inlet about 1 km to the south of Gondwana Station. A 0.5 m diameter circular fixed-frame plankton net (125µm mesh) was placed in an expanded seal hole about 1m below the ice. The net was cleared at approximately 24 hour intervals for 19 consecutive days. All samples were sorted fresh, larvae quantified and specimens photographed and preserved for DNA sequence analysis and morphological description. The aim was to provide information on the cryopelagic meroplankton and to determine if the shallow water meroplankton community was similar to that seen in the deeper water meroplankton.