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The influence of penguin activity on soil diatom assemblages on King George Island, Antarctica with the description of a new Luticola species
Kochman-Kędziora, N.; Noga, T.; Olech, M.; Van de Vijver, B. (2022). The influence of penguin activity on soil diatom assemblages on King George Island, Antarctica with the description of a new Luticola species. PeerJ 10: e13624. https://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13624
In: PeerJ. PeerJ: Corte Madera & London. e-ISSN 2167-8359, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Luticola kaweckae
    Marine/Coastal; Terrestrial
Author keywords
    Antarctic Region, South Shetlands, King George Island, Bacillariophyta, Soil diatoms, Diversity, Luticola kaweckae, New species
Authors  Top 
  • Kochman-Kedziora, N.
  • Noga, T.
  • Olech, M.
  • Van de Vijver, B., more
Abstract

    Background

    Ice-free areas in the Antarctic region are strongly limited. The presence of marine mammals and birds in those areas influence soil properties and vegetation composition. Studies on the terrestrial diatom flora in soils influenced by sea birds in the Maritime Antarctic region are scarce.

    Methods

    Samples were collected from two transects on the western shore of the Admiralty Bay region. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations and statistical analyses were conducted to consider the impact of penguin rookeries on soil diatom assemblages.

    Results

    The disturbance associated with the presence of penguin rookeries clearly influences the soil diatom diversity. Assemblages from areas with the highest nutrient input were characterized by a much lower diversity with only few species dominating the flora. One of recorded taxa could not be assigned to any of the known species. Therefore, based on the combination of morphological features analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopes and comparison with similar taxa in the Antarctic region and worldwide, the species is described hereby as new to science–Luticola kaweckae sp.nov. The new species is characteristic for soil habitats with strong penguin influence.

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