Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

EFFECTS OF ISOLATION ON THE GENETIC BIODIVERSITY OF SHALLOW COASTAL BENTHIC COMMUNITIES IN ANTARCTICA  (EFFECTS OF ISOLATION ON THE GENETIC BIODIVERSITY OF SHALLOW COASTAL BENTHIC COMMUNITIES IN ANTARCTICA)

Outline
On all continents other than Antarctica, animals restricted to shallow waters can disperse continuously along shelves over long distances. Around Antarctica littoral areas not covered by ice-shelf are scarce and highly isolated. While, oceanic islands have never been connected to continental landmasses and represent some of the most isolated environments on earth (Nunn, 1994). They receive their biotas solely through dispersal from geographically distant source populations and from subsequent in situ diversification (Paulay, 1994). Stretches of deep ocean surrounding such islands represent dispersal filters for benthic shallow-water marine taxa. The stringency of these filters varies according to physical parameters (e.g., distance from potential source populations, current speed and polarity). The Antarctic benthos comprises an unusually high proportion of marine invertebrates that brood their young (e.g. echinoderms, particularly echinoids; molluscs; and polychaetes compared with other benthic environments (Poulin et al., 2002). In spite of the high number of brooding species, the Antarctic shallow subtidal zone is dominated by numerous individuals of just a few species with a planktotrophic developmental mode, particularly echinoderms. A quick glance into the shallow subtidal zone shows the conspicuousness of planktotrophic species, such as: the sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri, described as one of the most abundant macrobenthic organisms in shallow Antarctic waters (Brey et al., 1995, Sahade et al., 1998); the asteroids Odontaster validus, O. meridionalis and Porania antarctica; the ophiuroid Ophionotus victoriae; the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki (Chiantore et al., 2001) and the clam Laternula elliptica (Bosh & Pearce, 1988). Ice free land areas in Antarctica comprise less than 0.5% of the total land mass and less than one tenth of this area lies within 5 km of a coast. Shallow coastal environments, which only border some of these areas, are thus very restricted and comprise less than 1% of the coastline. These shallow coastal areas are separated by broad areas of much greater depth effectively isolating and making islands of the shallow coastal areas. This fragmentation of coastal habitat has serious consequences for coastal zone management and coastal zone protection. In particular, an understanding of how isolation has affected genetic diversity is critical in the formulation of marine protected areas. If benthic faunas are genuinely cosmopolitan only relatively small areas will need to be designated to protect the genetic biodiversity. If populations from different coastal areas are isolated then many more reserves will be required. Most Antarctic benthic faunas have a circum polar distribution but it is not known the degree to which they represent a series of isolated populations or are truly cosmopolitan. Many invertebrate groups such as echinoderms use one of two methods in reproduction, either they are brooders or they are disperses. Brooders produce a small number of offspring and actively raise them. Disperses, by contrast, produce large numbers of offspring and release them into the environment as larvae where they are dispersed by currents. Brooders will have a low capacity to either colonise new areas or to mix with populations from adjacent or distant populations. Dispersers, by contrast, would be expected to have a well-mixed population. This study will examine on how well the brooding populations from shallow marine sites mix with the populations from the other shallow marine sites. By using molecular techniques we will measure gene flow and the interrelatedness of the adjacent and distant populations. A comparison will also be made with similar benthic faunas in the tropical and temperate island The main objectives are: • To define on how well the brooding populations from shallow marine sites mix with the populations from the other shallow marine sites • To determine the gene flow and the interrelatedness of the adjacent and distant populations • To identify and compare the similar benthic organism in the tropical and temperates island

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Information on the phylogeny and the geographical distribution of these shallow coastal marine benthics will provide clues to the possible cause of speciation. This information will be used in guidelines to establish marine protected areas in Antarctica

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
1. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia - to lead the project - to provide the facilities and key researchers 2. University of Tasmania (UTAS), Australia - to assist with sampling and analyses 3. University of Santiago, Chile - to assist with sampling and analyses 4. Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) - to organize and provide berths to the Antarctica and the permits for the samples collection

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Antarctic Peninsular Tasmania, South America and South Africa

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: November 2006 - December 2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
1. Snow terrain vehicles 2. Existing Australian field station (i.e Casey) 3. Diving operational centre

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Another national polar operator
National agency

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Not yet but in progress.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed by Akademi Sains of Malaysia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding agency (Akademi Sains of Malaysia, ASM)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
No.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Zulfigar Yasin
Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS),
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang,
11800
Malaysia

Tel: +6 04 6532376
Mobile: + 6 012 4769901
Fax: +6 04 6572960
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation