Ice-Associated Amphipods in a Pan-Arctic Scenario of Declining Sea Ice

Sea-ice macrofauna includes ice amphipods and benthic amphipods, as well mysids. Amphipods are important components of the sympagic food web, which is fuelled by production algae. Data on diversity sea-ice biota have been collected a part scientific expeditions over decades, here we present pan-Arctic analysis data ice-associated mysids assimilated 35 years (1977–2012). The composition species differed among 13 locations around Arctic, with main differences between basins shelves also communities in drift landfast sea ice. has dramatically reduced extent thickness during recorded period, resulted abundance from 1980’s to 2010’s. decline mainly involved Gammarus wilkitzkii coinciding disappearance much multiyear ice, an habitat for this long-lived species. Benthic were most diverse, showed time-span. They had higher closer land where they associated However, occurred Central Arctic Ocean, likely related origin shallow water subsequent transport transpolar drift. Recent sampling waters east north Svalbard found continued presence Apherusa glacialis , but almost no G. . Monitoring standardized methods needed detect further changes community reductions cover type.