The occurrence and distribution of the South Georgia fungal flora, particularly Ascomycotina and Basidiomycotina, is assessed in terms of habitat and substrate preference. The 113 taxa reported comprise 37 basidiomycetes, 49 ascomycetes, six myxomycetes and at least 21 lower fungi. Peat and litter substrata associated with tall tussock grassland have a rich macro-fungal flora, and numerous species occur in bog and mire communities, some in abundance from mid to late summer. Many micro-fungi and ascomycetes colonize dying leaves and inflorescences of specific vascular plants, and a few colonize bryophytes and lichens. At least a dozen species, probably non-indigenous, are associated with rotting timber and other imported materials at former whaling stations. An intensive survey of the South Georgia mycoflora is necessary to gain better understanding of their role in decomposition and nutrient cycling processes in the principal plant communities.

Cephalopod remains from the stomachs of four pilot whales Globicephala melaena (Traill, 1809), two bottlenose whales Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882 and eight Commerson's dolphins Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacepede, 1804) stranded in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina were identified and measured. A total of 3365 lower beaks (mandibles) were identified and measured and from the rostral, crest and hood length, total wet and dry mass, mean mass and mean mantle length for each taxon were estimated. Over 68% of the cephalopods eaten by the pilot whales and all cephalopods eaten by the bottlenose whales were oceanic squid species (oegopsids). The Commerson's dolphins had only eaten shelf species of the families Loliginidae (97.5%) and Octopodinae (2.5%). Sixteen cephalopod families comprising 23 species were represented. In samples from Globicephala melaena, Loligo gahi represented 31% by number and 7.1% by estimated dry mass, Histioteuthis eltaninae, 29% by number and 4.9% by dry mass and the onychoteuthid Moroteuthis ingens 17.2% by number and 51.5% by dry mass. In samples from Hyperoodon planifrons, Histioteuthis eltaninae represented 24.0% of cephalopods by number but only 5.2% by dry mass, Taonius pavo 53% by number but only 2.5% by dry mass and the large onychoteuthid Kondakovia longimana only 2.5% by number but 65.8% by dry mass. In samples from Cephalorhynchus commersonii, the neritic Loligo gahi contributed 97.4% by number and 97% by dry mass and a neritic octopodinid contributed the rest of the cephalopod part of the diet. While the cephalopods contributed the major part of the diets of these particular cetaceans, other remains included fish and polychaete worms.

The effect of solar radiation on the survival of Escherichia coli, Salmonella zanzibar and a faecal Streptococcus strain in seawater was tested in laboratory experiments, and survival of E. coli was tested under natural light conditions at Davis Station, Antarctica. Exposure to artificial light of wavelengths 290–800 nm caused a rapid decline in viability of each strain examined. T90 values (the time taken for 90% of the population to be inactivated) were ~50 min, 40 min and 2 h for E. coli, S. zanzibar and the faecal Streptococcus respectively. Selective removal of UV-B wavelengths of (<320 nm) increased survival of E. coli and S. zanzibar, resulting in T90 values of ~2.5 h. Screening out wavelengths of <370 nm (UV-B and most of UV-A) increased T90 values to 5 h for E. coli and 10 h for S. zanzibar. The visible band of the spectrum (400–800 nm) also had deterimental effects on faecal bacteria, when compared with survival in the absence of light. Rates of decline for E. coli in natural light in Antarctica were similar to those from laboratory experiments. However, resuscitation of sub-lethally damaged cells under optimum conditions resulted in greater recovery rates than were observed after exposure to artificial sunlight. Faecal bacteria were rapidly inactivated when exposed to sunlight in Antarctic waters, and as repair mechanisms are unlikely to operate under in situ conditions, resuscitation of sub-lethally damaged cells is improbable.

The population trend over the last decade for subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) on Amsterdam and St. Paul islands and on Possession Island (Crozet Archipelago) and Antarctic fur seals (A. gazella) on Possession Island are analysed. At Amsterdam Island, based on pup counts, the subantarctic fur seal population appears to have stabilized after a period of rapid growth. At Possession Island subantarctic fur seal and Antarctic fur seal, with respective annual growth rates of 19.2 and 17.4%, are reaching the maximum growth rate for the genus Arctocephalus. Annual pup censuses at Possession Island since 1978 indicate important variations from year to year with pup production for A. gazella significantly lower the year after an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, but with no such relationship for A. tropicalis. Several other long term demographic studies of seabirds and marine mammals at different breeding locations in the Southern Ocean indicate that the breeding success of several of these predators appears to be widely affected in years which appear to be related to the ENSO events. To clarify this, it is necessary to analyse in more detail the demographic data obtained for the different subantarctic and Antarctic locations where long term monitoring programmes are conducted.

In the cold Antarctic environment labile organic compounds may accumulate in soil due to relatively low utilization rates by heterotrophic microorganisms. Microbial fermentation of these compounds might contribute to the development of strongly acid soils. To test this and assess concentrations, extracts of a range of soils in the Windmill Islands, Budd Coast were analysed by GLC and HPLC for the presence of low molecular weight sugars, polyols and organic acids. Concentrations of sugars and polyols up to 3300 mg g−1 were detected in cryptogam dominated soils. Some, such as trehalose, may have principally originated in the soil microflora. Soils from occupied penguin rookeries were found to possess oxalic, acetic, propionic and succinic acids at levels up to 1000 mg g−1 soil. Most other soils, however, lacked these acids at detectable levels (1–5 mg g−1 soil). No correlation was established between organic acid accumulation and soil pH although those dominated by moss and lichen had been acidified significantly when compared with barren soils. Thus while substantial pools of these readily utilized carbohydrates were probably present in cryptogam dominated soils, there was little accumulation of organic acids which could account for the acidity of mineral soils typical of the Windmill Islands.

Data from several summer research cruises in the Antarctic Peninsula region were analysed to calculate length (L50) and age at maturity for the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba. Length at maturity L50 is defined as the length at which 50% of the krill stock attains sexual maturity. L50 values of 34.65–35.91 mm for female krill are the best estimates for the peak spawning season. Males attain sexual maturity later at L50 values of 43.35–43.71 mm. Length at maturity and length at first spawning are identical for krill. Comparisons with mean length-at-age data show that females mature in the third growth season (age class 2+), while males reach maturity in the fourth year (age class 3+). Both sexes show ‘knife-edge maturity’.

Nutrient and major ion concentrations were measured in surface water samples from lakes, ponds and streams at sites 30–320 km south of McMurdo Sound: the Darwin Glacier region (79.7–80.0°S), Pyramid Trough in the southern Dry Valleys (78.2°S), and the McMurdo Ice Shelf ablation zone (77.8–78.4°S). These aquatic environments ranged from dilute meltwaters (conductivity <0.05 mS cm−1) to concentrated brines (>50 mS cm−1). The lowest nitrate concentrations were recorded at the sites closest to the seasonally open waters of the Ross Sea. Much higher values (100–142000mg NO3–Nm−3) were recorded at sites further south. These observations support the hypothesis that NO3 precipitation over Antarctica is of stratospheric rather than coastal marine origin. The nitrogen-rich waters contained chloride and nitrate in the ratio 5.45g Cl:1g N (C.V.=8.4%) which is within the range for Antarctic snow, and indicative of nitrate enrichment by freeze concentration processes. Cyanobacterial mats were conspicuous elements of the biota across the full range of salinities, and were usually dominated by oscilatoriacean species. Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and diatoms were also represented in these benthic microbial communities at the more northern sites, but were absent from all samples from the Darwin Glacier region.

For many albatross species squid are important prey. Whether albatrosses depend on scavenging (e.g. of vomit from cetaceans, post-spawning die-offs or fishery waste) or on live-capture of squid (e.g. via diel vertical migrations in association with aggregations of squid prey) is controversial. This review of the nature of interactions between squid and the four species of albatross breeding at South Georgia uses data on the foraging range, methods and timing of feeding of the albatrosses in relation to the size, distribution, buoyancy characteristics (floaters or sinkers), bioluminescence and prey of the squid and access to fishery waste. We conclude that most evidence for scavenging needs critical re-evaluation; nevertheless, whereas wandering albatrosses and possibly light-mantled sooty albatrosses probably depend significantly on scavenged squid, black-browed and especially grey-headed albatrosses are unlikely to do so.

An investigation into the feeding habits of two demersal nototheniids, Trematomus bernacchii and T. centronotus, showed that the most important prey were polychaetes, molluscs and euphausiids for T. bernacchii and polychaetes and amphipods for T. centronotus. Epifaunal (e.g. Barrukia cristata) and tube-dwelling polychaetes (Amphicteis cfr. midas and Amythas membranifera) were common in the diet of both species. Bivalvia including Adamussium colbecki were found in the diet of T. bernacchii. Epifaunal gastropods (Trochidae) were an occasional prey for T. centronotus. Amphipods (mainly Acanthonotozomatidae) and the euphausiid Euphausia frigida were the main crustacean food of T. centronotus and T. bernacchii respectively. Our data suggest a difference in the feeding behaviour of the two nototheniid species, although both appear capable of feeding on common epibenthic invertebrates.

Morphometric data were collected for 410 specimens of Pareledone turqueti and P. polymorpha caught around South Georgia. The two species differ in beak morphology and in the male hectocotylus. The species have similar appearances although there is a small but significant difference in the mantle length/body mass relationship for females, with P. polymorpha having a relatively longer mantle. There is no significant difference in the arm length/body mass relationship between species or sexes (p>0.05), except in the case of arm IV of females. There is an interspecific significant difference between sucker number on arms I and II of males, arms I–IV of females, and between hood length and mass of the buccal mass (p<0.05), with P. turqueti having relatively lower sucker numbers, a longer hood length and greater buccal mass mass. The beak of P. turqueti is similar to that of Eledone spp. but P. polymorpha has a small, fine beak with the rostral tip ending in an elongated, sharp point. Differences in beak and buccal mass suggest that these sympatric species occupy distinct trophic niches and that the differing morphology of the male hectocotylus is a factor in reproductive isolation.

Fortyeight freshwater algae (excluding Cyanophyceae) were identified from nine lakes and pools at Hope Bay (Antarctic Peninsula). The geographic distribution in Antarctica and the ecological characteristics of the sampling sites are given for each taxa. Sixteen of them, new records for Antarctica, are described and illustrated. Among the algal classes treated here, Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae constitute the most diverse groups. Most of the species found have been recorded from Antarctica, and many of them are widespread. Some degree of polymorphism was observed in Bacillariophyceae and Tribophyceae taxa.

The distribution of the icefish Champsocephalus gunnari on the Kerguelen Plateau is confined to the inner shelves of Heard and Kerguelen islands and outlying banks where the water depth is less than 350 m. For fisheries management purposes, it is necessary to know whether fish from the various shelves and banks belong to one single or several separate populations. Analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of fish from various localities using restriction endonclease enzymes revealed no significant genetic heterogeneity between any of the localities. This does not preclude the existence of isolated stocks at the present time but indicates that the populations have been separated too recently for genetic isolation to be manifested, or that low-level interchange of fish between the populations may be maintaining genetic homogeneity.

The Larsemann Hills is an ice-free area of over 150 lakes that are not ice covered in summer. Despite being located at 69°30'S the area is not characterized to any extent by expected glacial indicators such as till, moraine or striations. Although the lakes show signs of evaporative lowering of water levels evolution to a saline state has not advanced to any great degree. While some evidence has been advanced to suggest only recent deglaciation (less than 10000yrBP) and large accumulations of ice (200–500m) it is now suggested that the area has not been glaciated during the Wisconsin to the extent previously claimed. The paper reports moss deposits aged 24950 yrBP that are significantly older than those previously reported for the area.

Plate counts were made of bacteria surviving in materials from Shackleton's and Scott's camps from the first decade of this century. Several millions of bacteria per g of material were detected in samples of pony dung and lesser numbers in dried peas, pearl barley, chaff and straw. No coliforms had survived in the dung: apparent positives in the presumptive coliform counts proved to be sporing Bacillus spp. when tested in a confirmatory coliform test. Subsamples of the colonies growing on agar plates all proved to be either Bacillus spp. producing endospores or actinomycetes (Micromonospora spp.) with single spores along the hyphae.

Studies of diving in seabirds have mainly been confined to penguins, alcids and cormorants. There are few data on the depths to which other seabirds dive although some species are known to have considerable abilities for diving and swimming underwater e.g. shearwaters (Kuroda 1954, Brown et al. 1978), diving petrels (Prince & Jones 1992) and gannets (Adams & Walter 1993).

A collection of juvenile squid were caught with the Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl (IKMT) and the Juday plankton net at 86 stations in Prydz Bay (60°–67°30′S, 60°–80°E) to a depth of 500 m but mostly at 0–200 m. Five species were identified, Psychroteuthis glacialis, Alluroteuthis antarcticus, Brachioteuthis sp. and the cranchiids Galiteuthis glacialis and Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. P. glacialis and the cranchiids were the most abundant species. Young P. glacialis (5–17 mm ML) were taken at depths of 5–200 m but concentrated in the upper 100 m whilst the cranchiids (5–35 mm ML) occurred over a wider vertical range (50–500 m). The regular occurrence of paralarvae and juveniles suggests that all the species reproduce in the Antarctic. Juvenile Vertical distribution appears to differ between species with P. glacialis concentrated relatively near the surface, the cranchiids in the upper part of the Circumpolar Deep Water and A. antarcticus widely distributed to a depth of 900 m.

Samples of Loligo gahi from the Falkland Islands Interim Conservation and Management Zone collected in March 1987 were analysed to determine the relationships between mass of reproductive and somatic organs during maturation. There was a progressive increase in mass of the reproductive organs with growth in males, while in females these organs did not show a conspicuous increase in mass until a body mass of c. 40 g was reached. No change was found in the mass of the digestive gland in relation to body mass or in the water content of male and female somatic tissues during maturation. Growth of reproductive organs in L. gahi seems to be supported by diet and not at the expense of somatic tissue.

Fisher Massif is believed to represent less metamorphosed portions of an extensive Proterozoic mobile belt, and is composed of metavolcanic rocks of different compositions and numerous intrusive bodies. U-Pb dating of six zircon fractions recovered from metavolcanic rocks of intermediate to acidic compositions defines growth time at c.1300 Ma with prominent Pb losses at 364 Ma and in recent time. Grain morphologies do not provide unequivocal genetic evidence, but an igneous origin for the grains studied is the most probable. The dates obtained probably reflect igneous activity be co-eval with mafic dyke emplacement event elsewhere in ancient East Antarctic cratonic blocks.

Apatite fission-track data from samples of Precambrian basement, Late Permian Triassic sedimentary rocks and inferred Cretaceous intrusive bodies are used to constrain the low-temperature (i.e. sub ~110°C) thermal history of the northern Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica. Two discrete phases of cooling have been identified, both of which are attributed to regional exhumation associated with rifting episodes. A phase of late Palaeozoic cooling, that began during the Carboniferous, is inferred to have been associated with the initial formation of the Lambert Graben. A more recent phase of cooling was initiated during the Early Cretaceous and is estimated to have locally involved the removal of at least 2 km of material using an assumed palaeotemperature gradient of ~25°C km−1 at the time of cooling. This latter phase of exhumation was closely accompanied by the emplacement of a variety of mafic alkaline rocks at ambient palaeotemperatures less than ~60°C and was probably related to renewed extension of the Lambert Graben during the break-up of eastern Gondwana. The results of this study suggest that final exhumation of high-grade Precambrian basement of the northern Price Charles Mountains was largely controlled by Phanerozoic rifting events.

Information on Holocene glacier variations in Antarctica is limited and sometimes contradictory. However, if the behaviour of the glaciers during the recent past can be clarified, their sensitivity to climatic changes can be evaluated and their contribution to the sea level variation may be predicted. Through the study of local glaciers and floating ice shelves in the Terra Nova Bay area, new information has been gathered. Between 7500 and 5000 yr B.P., after the glacial retreat which followed the Last Glacial Maximum, the Nansen Ice Sheet and the Hells Gate ice shelf were a few kilometres less extensive than they are now. During the second half of the Holocene, both the local glaciers and the ice shelves advanced to positions that were more extensive than their present ones, although not all the variations are adequately dated. A retreat phase of the Edmonson Point glacier occurred during late Middle Ages between 920–1050 A.D. and 1270–1400 A.D. as documented by ten 14C dates obtained from shells in ice-cored moraines. A subsequent advance occurred after the 15th century in a period corresponding to the Little Ice Age.