What animals can live in cryoconite holes? A faunal review

Authors:

• Krzysztof Zawierucha,
• M. Kolicka,
• N. Takeuchi,
• Łukasz Kaczmarek

Abstract

Despite the large number of studies on glaciers, knowledge regarding biota in cryoconite holes is limited. Cryophilic animals are often neglected in ecological studies on glacial habitats, but are important for the functioning of these environments. Owing to climate change and the melting of polar ice, cryophilic fauna could be threatened in the near future. We provide the first comprehensive survey of invertebrates inhabiting the cryoconite holes of Alpine, Antarctic, Arctic, Himalayan and Patagonian glaciers. At present, the list of taxa is rather short and includes five phyla (Rotifera, Annelida, Tardigrada, Nematoda and Arthropoda). Owing to generally poor knowledge of the fauna of cryoconite holes, there could be more than the 25 currently known species. In addition, we present the geographical distributions of the taxa and discuss the diversity of invertebrates living in cryoconite holes and make predictions regarding the faunal diversity of these habitats.