Award Abstract #0741348
Collaborative research: Possible climate-induced change in the distribution of Pleuragramma antarcticum on the Western Antarctic Peninsula shelf
NSF Org: |
ANT
Antarctic Sciences Division
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Initial Amendment Date: |
August 25, 2008 |
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Latest Amendment Date: |
August 25, 2008 |
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Award Number: |
0741348 |
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Award Instrument: |
Continuing grant |
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Program Manager: |
Roberta L. Marinelli
ANT Antarctic Sciences Division
OPP Office of Polar Programs
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Start Date: |
September 1, 2008 |
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Expires: |
August 31, 2009 (Estimated) |
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Awarded Amount to Date: |
$25000 |
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Investigator(s): |
Joseph Torres jtorres@marine.usf.edu(Principal Investigator)
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Sponsor: |
University of South Florida
3650 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa, FL 33612 813/974-5465
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NSF Program(s): |
ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS & ECOSYST
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Field Application(s): |
0311000 Polar Programs-Related
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Program Reference Code(s): |
EGCH,9169,9150
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Program Element Code(s): |
5111
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ABSTRACT
Intellectual Merit: Pleuragramma antarcticum, the Antarctic silverfish, play a key role in the trophic pyramid of the Antarctic coastal ecosystem, acting as food for larger fishes, flying and non-flying seabirds, pinnipeds, and whales. In turn, they are predators on coastal euphausiids, including both Euphausia superba and crystallorophias. Historically, Pleuragramma have been an important food source for Adélie Penguins of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), but during the last decade Pleuragramma have disappeared from the Adélie diet. We suggest that Pleuragramma?s absence from the diets of top predators is linked to the declining sea ice canopy, which serves as a nursery for eggs and larvae during the austral spring. The research will investigate four hydrographic regimes over the WAP continental shelf with the following features: (1) persistent gyral flows that act to retain locally spawned larvae, (2) spring sea ice that has declined in recent years (3) the prevalence of adult silverfish, and (4) the presence of breeding Adélie penguins whose diets vary in the proportions of silverfish consumed. The research will evaluate the importance of local reproduction versus larval advection, and the extent to which populations in the subregions of study are genetically distinct, via analysis of population structure, otolith microchemistry and molecular genetics of fish. The Pleuragramma data will be compared with penguin diet samples taken synoptically. Broader Impacts: The proposed research brings together an international group of scientists with highly complimentary suites of skills to address the fate of Pleuragramma on the WAP shelf. Graduate students will use the data acquired as part of their Ph.D research, and will receive cross-training in ornithological field techniques, molecular genetic methods and otolith isotope chemistry. The PIs will work actively with the St. Petersburg Times to produce a blog in real time with pictures and text, which will be used to interact with local schools while we are at sea and after our return. The investigators also will collaborate with the COSEE center at USF and at local schools and museums to disseminate results to the K-12 community throughout the region.
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