Circumpolar overview and spatial heterogeneity of Antarctic macrobenthic communities

The geographical coverage of a comprehensive dataset on Antarctic macrobenthic communities is provided for the first time. Since the sampling methods applied since the 1950s vary considerably, a robust analysis was carried out. The results show firstly, that all main types of communities, especially suspension and mobile or infaunal deposit feeders, can occur everywhere. Thus, their biogeography is hardly predictable and assumed to be shaped by complex biological interactions. Secondly, the often-mentioned dominance of communities composed of suspension feeders and associated fauna can be confirmed.

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