Research Objectives:
The primary objective of the project is to explore the genetic continuity of benthic marine invertebrates across the Drake Passage and along Antarctic Peninsula to more accurately understand the role endemism and larval dispersal play in the antarctic environment. Project team members will conduct plankton tows to document larval transport and use molecular approaches on benthic adults to document historical gene flow.
Because the opening of the Drake Passage is hypothesized to have played a critical role in establishing antarctic endemism, investigators will sample in Argentinean waters (south of Tierra del Fuego between Staten Island and Cape Horn), across the Drake Passage, and along the Antarctic Peninsula. Looking for a potential genetic break point in antarctic waters, they will collect in the western edge of the Weddell Sea just east of the northern tip of the Peninsula.
Sampling will consist of plankton tows and sampling benthic invertebrates in all localities, except the Drake where only plankton tows will be conducted. Collection of polychaetes and echinoderms will be emphasized. All benthic sampling will be along or shallower than the 200 meter isobath line.
