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Photo of Katrin Iken

Contact Information

Institute of Marine Science
227 O'Neill
P.O. Box 757220
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220
Phone: (907) 474-5192
Fax: (907) 474-7204
kbiken@alaska.edu

Katrin Iken Full Professor

Marine Biology • Marine Invertebrates • Marine Plants

Specialties

Research Overview

My research is mainly centered around trophic interactions between organisms. This involves dietary composition, feeding habits and consumption rates of invertebrates, macroalgal-herbivore interactions, stable isotope analysis of food web structures etc. It also involves chemical defenses of macroalgae and invertebrates against grazers and predators. I am generally interested in shallow water community diversity, dynamics and ecology, especially in both polar regions, and in deep-sea communities. Most of my shallow water work uses scientific diving as a research tool.

Current Research Projects

Publications

59. Hondolero D, Bluhm B, Iken K# (in press) Caloric content of dominant benthic species from the Northern Bering and Chukchi Seas: historical comparisons and the effects of preservation. Polar Biology

58. Spurkland T, Iken K (2011) Salinity and irradiance effects on growth and maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis of subarctic Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Laminariaceae). Botanica Marina 54: 355-365, DOI 10.1515/BOT.2011.042

57. Spurkland T, Iken K (2011) Kelp bed dynamics in estuarine environments in subarctic Alaska. Journal of Coastal Research DOI 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-10-00194.

56. Pohle G, Iken K, Clarke KR, Trott T, Konar B, Cruz-Motta JJ, Wong M, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Mead A, Miloslavich P, Mieszkowska N, Milne R, Tamburello L, Knowlton A, Kimani E, Shirayama Y (2011) Aspects of benthic decapod diversity and distribution from rocky nearshore habitat at geographically widely dispersed sites. PLoS One 6(4): e18606.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018606

55. Bluhm BA, Ambrose Jr WG, Bergmann M, Clough LM, Gebruk AV, Hasemann C, Iken K, Klages M, MacDonald IR, Renaud PE, Schewe I, Soltweedel T, Wlodarska-Kowalczuk M (2011) Diversity of the arctic deep-sea benthos. Marine Biodiversity 41: 87-107. DOI 10.1007/s12526-010-0078-4

54. Węsławski JM, Kendall MA, Włodarska-Kowalczuk M, Iken K, Kędra M., Legezynska J, Sejr M (2010). Climate change effects on Arctic fjord and coastal macrobenthic diversity – observations and predictions. Marine Biodiversity 41: 71-85. DOI 10.1007/s12526-010-0073-9

53. Wei CL, Rowe G, Escobar-Briones E, Boetius A, Soltwedel T, Caley MJ, Soliman Y, Huettmann F, Qu F, Yu Z, Pitcher CR, Haedrich RL, Wicksten MK, Rex MA, Baguley JG, Sharma J, Danovaro R, MacDonald IR, Nunnally CC, Deming JW, Montagna P, Lévesque M, Weslawski JM, Wlodarska-Kowalczuk M, Ingole B, Bett BJ, Yool A, Bluhm BA, Iken K, Narayanaswamy BE (2010) Global Patterns and Predictions of Seafloor Biomass Using Random Forests. PLoS One 5(12): e15323

52. Feder HM, Iken K#, Blanchard AL, Jewett SC, Schonberg S (2010) Benthic food web structure in the southeastern Chukchi Sea: an assessment using δ13C and δ15N analyses. Polar Biology 34: 521-532

51. Cruz-Motta JJ, Miloslavich P, Palomo G, Iken K, Konar B, Pohle G, Trott T, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Herrera C, Hernández A, Sardi A, Bueno A, Castillo J, Klein E, Guerra-Castro E, Gobin J, Gómez DI, Riosmena-Rodríguez R, Mead A, Knowlton A, Shirayama Y (2010) Patterns of spatial variation of assemblages associated with intertidal rocky shores: a global perspective. PLoS One 5(12): e14354

50. Iken K, Konar B, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Cruz-Motta JJ, Knowlton A, Pohle G, Mead A, Miloslavich P, Wong M, Trott T, Mieszkowska N, Riosmena-Rodriguez R, Airoldi L, Kimani E, Shirayama Y, Fraschetti S, Ortiz Touzet M, Silva A (2010) Large-scale spatial distribution patterns of echinoderms in nearshore rocky habitats. PLoS One 5(11): e13845


49. Konar B, Iken K, Cruz-Motta JJ, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Knowlton A, Pohle G, Miloslavich P, Edwards M, Trott T, Kimani E, Riosmena-Rodriguez R, Wong M, Jenkins S, Mead A, Silva A, Sousa Pinto I, Shirayama Y (2010) Global Patterns of Macroalgal Diversity and Biomass in Rocky Nearshore Environments. PLoS One 5(10): e13195

48. Benedetti-Cecchi L, Iken K, Konar B, Cruz Motta JJ, Knowlton A, Pohle G, Castelli A, Tamburello L, Mead A, Trott T, Miloslavich P, Wong M, Shirayama Y, Lardicci C, Palomo G, Maggi E (2010) Spatial relationships between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales. PLoS One 5(9): e12946

47. Diyabalanage T, Iken KB, McClintock JB, Amsler CD, Baker BJ (2010) Palmadorins A−C, diterpene glycerides from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis. Journal of Natural Products 73: 416-421

46. O'Dor R, Acosta J, Aksel Bergstad O, Brainard R, Brattey J, Canals M, Costa D, Gunn J, Horne JK, Iken K, Kocik J, Konar B, Payne J, Reid C, Robison B, Steinke D, Vanden Berghe E (2010) Bringing new life to ocean observation. In: Hall J, DE Harrison and D Stammer (eds) Proceedings of OceanObs'09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society, ESA Publication WPP-306

45. Bluhm BA, Iken K, Hopcroft RR (2010) Observations and exploration of the Arctic's Canada Basin and the Chukchi Sea: The Hidden Ocean and RUSALCA expeditions. Deep-Sea Research II 57: 1-4 (editorial)

44. MacDonald IR, Bluhm BA, Iken K, Gagaev S, Strong S* (2010) Benthic macrofaunal and megafaunal assemblages in the Arctic deep-sea Canada Basin. Deep-Sea Research II 57: 136-152

43. Iken K, Bluhm BA, Dunton KH (2010) Benthic food web structure under differing water mass properties in the southern Chukchi Sea. Deep-Sea Research II 57: 71-85

42. Gradinger R, Bluhm BA, Iken K (2010) Arctic sea ice ridges – safe heavens for sea ice fauna during periods of extreme ice melt? Deep-Sea Research II 57: 86-95

41. Konar B, Iken K, Pohle G, Miloslavich P, Cruz-Motta JJ, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Kimani E, Knowlton A, Trott T, Iseto T, Shirayama Y (2010) Surveying Nearshore Biodiversity. In: AD McIntyre (ed) Life in the World's Oceans: Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (Oxford), pp 27-41

40. Sirenko BI, Bluhm BA, Iken K, Crane K, Gladish V (2009) Some results of investigation of composition and trophic groups of zoobenthos in the Chukchi Sea. Explorations of the Fauna of the Seas 64(72):200-212

39. Bluhm BA, Iken K, Mincks Hardy S, Sirenko BI, Holladay BA (2009) Community structure of epibenthic megafauna in the Chukchi Sea. Aquatic Biology 7: 269–293

38. Wulff A, Iken K, Quartino ML, Al-Handal A, Wiencke C, Clayton MN (2009) Biodiversity, Biogeography and Zonation of benthic micro- and macroalgae in the Arctic and Antarctic. Botanica Marina 52: 491-507
Updated monograph version of #38 also published in: 2011. Biology of Polar Benthic Algae, C. Wiencke (ed.), Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KH, Göttingen. pp. 23-52

37. Amsler CD, Iken K, McClintock JB, Baker BJ (2009) Defenses of polar macroalgae against herbivores and biofoulers. Botanica Marina 52: 535-545
Updated monograph version of #37 also published in: 2011. Biology of Polar Benthic Algae, C. Wiencke (ed.), Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KH, Göttingen. pp. 101-119

36. Iken K, Amsler CD, Amsler MO, McClintock JB, Baker BJ (2009) Field studies on deterrent roles of phlorotannins in Antarctic brown algae. Botanica Marina 52: 547-557
Updated monograph version of #36 also published in: 2011. Biology of Polar Benthic Algae, C. Wiencke (ed.), Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KH, Göttingen. pp. 121-138

35. Konar B, Iken K, Edwards M (2009) Depth-stratified community zonation patterns on Gulf of Alaska rocky shores. Marine Ecology 30: 63-73

34. Konar B, Iken K (2009) Influence of taxonomic resolution and morphological functional groups in multivariate analyses of macroalgal assemblages. Phycologia 48: 24-31

33. Hondolero DE, Konar B, Iken K, Chenelot H (2007) Variation in low Intertidal Communities: Submerged vs. Emerged. In: Rigby P.R. and Shirayama Y. (eds) Selected Papers of the NaGISA World Congress 2006, Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Special Publication Series Vol. VIII. pp 29-36

32. Chenelot HA, Iken K, Konar B, Edwards M (2007) Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Echinoderms in Rocky Nearshore Areas of Alaska In Rigby P.R. and Shirayama Y. (eds) Selected Papers of the NaGISA World Congress 2006, Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Special Publication Series Vol. VIII. pp 11-28

31. Iken K, Amsler CD, Hubbard JM, McClintock JB, Baker BJ (2007) Allocation patterns of phlorotannins in Antarctic brown algae. Phycologia 46: 386-395

Sampling biodiversity in coastal communities. Kyoto University Press. pp. 145

29. Wiencke C, Clayton MN, Gómez I, Iken K, Lüder UH, Amsler CD, Karsten U, Hanelt D, Bischof K, Dunton K (2006) Life strategy, ecophysiology and ecology of seaweeds in polar waters. Reviews in Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology 6: 95-126

28. Konar B, Riosmena-Rodrigues R, Iken K (2006) Rhodolith beds: a newly discovered habitat in the North Pacific. Botanica Marina 49: 355-359

27. Greer SP, Iken K, McClintock JB, Amsler CD (2006) Bioassay-guided fractionation of antifouling compounds using computer-assisted motion analysis of brown algal spore swimming. Biofouling 22: 125-132

26. Iken K, Bluhm BA, Gradinger R (2005) Food web structure in the high Arctic Canada Basin: evidence from d13C and d15N analysis. Polar Biology 28: 238-249

25. Bluhm BA, MacDonald IR, Debenham C*, Iken K (2005) Macro- and megabenthic communities in the high Arctic Canada Basin: initial findings. Polar Biology 28: 218-231

24. Konar B, Iken K (2005) Competitive dominance among sessile marine organisms in a high Arctic boulder community. Polar Biology 29: 61-64

23. Amsler CD, Iken K, McClintock JB, Amsler MO, Peters KJ*, Hubbard JM, Furrow FB, Baker BJ (2005) Comprehensive evaluation of the palatability and chemical defenses of subtidal macroalgae from the Antarctic Pensinsula. Marine Ecology Progress Series 294: 141-159

22. Burrows F, Bellmer F, Iken K (2005) Restoration monitoring of kelp and other macroalgae In: Science-based restoration monitoring of coastal habitats.
Thayer GW, McTigue TA, Salz RJ, Merkey DH, Burrows FM, Gayaldo PF (eds) Vol. II, NOAA Coastal Ocean Program Decision Analysis Series No. 23, Chapter 5

21. Lippert H, Iken K, Volk C, Köck M, Rachor E (2004) Chemical defense against predators in a sub-Arctic fjord. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 310: 131-146

20. Lippert H, Iken K (2003) Biochemical composition and palatability of invertebrates in a sub-Arctic fjord. The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 83: 1215-1219

19. Riemann-Zürneck K, Iken K (2003) A deep water corallimorpharian in shallow Antarctic habitats: Bionomics, histology, and systematics of Corallimorphus profundus Moseley, 1877 (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia). Zoologische Verhandelingen Leiden 345: 367-386

18. Iken K, Greer SP, McClintock JB, Amsler CD (2003) A new antifouling bioassay monitoring brown algal spore swimming behavior in the presence of echinoderm extracts. Biofouling, 19(5):327‑334

17. Greer SP, Iken K, McClintock JB, Amsler CD (2003) Individual and coupled effects of sea star extracts and surface hydrophobicity on spore settlement and germination in the brown alga Hincksia irregularis. Biofouling, 19(5):315‑326

16. Lippert H, Brinkmeyer R, Mülhaupt T, Iken K (2003) Antimicrobial activity in sub-Arctic marine invertebrates. Polar Biology, 26: 591‑600

15. Iken K, Baker B (2003) Ainigmaptilones: New sesquiterpenes from the Antarctic gorgonian coral Ainigmaptilon antarcticus (Octocorallia, Gorgonacea). Journal of Natural Products, 66 (6): 888-890

14. Iken K, Avila C, Fontana A, Gavagnin M (2002) Chemical ecology and origin of chemical defense in the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis. Marine Biology, 141: 101-109

13. Iken K, Amsler CD, Greer SP, McClintock JB (2001) Quantitative and qualitative studies of the swimming behaviour of Hincksia irregularis spores (Phaeophyceae): Ecological implications and parameters for quantitative swimming assays. Phycologia, 40: 359-366

12. Lippert H, Iken K, Rachor E, Wiencke C (2001) Macrofauna associated with macroalgae at Kongsfjord (Spitsbergen) – Species composition and distribution on abundant macroalgal species. Polar Biology, 24: 512-522

11. Iken K, Brey T, Wand U, Voigt J, Junghans P (2001) Trophic relationships in the benthic community at Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic): a stable isotope analysis. Progress in Oceanography, 50: 383-405

10. Amsler CD, Iken KB, McClintock JB, Baker BJ (2001) Secondary Metabolites from Antarctic Marine Organisms and their Ecological Implications. In: Marine Chemical Ecology, J.B. McClintock and B.J. Baker (eds), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. 267-300

9. Amsler CD, Iken KB (2001) Chemokinesis and chemotaxis in marine bacteria and algae. In: Marine Chemical Ecology, J.B. McClintock and B.J. Baker (eds), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. 413-430

8. Avila C, Iken K, Fontana A, Cimino G (2000) Chemical ecology of the Antarctic nudibranch Bathydoris hodgsoni Eliot, 1907: defensive role and origin of its natural products. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 252(1): 27-44

7. Amsler CD, Moeller CB, McClintock JB, Iken KB, Baker BJ (2000) Chemical defenses against diatom fouling in antarctic marine sponges. Biofouling, 16(1): 29-45.

6. Gavagnin M, De Napoli A, Cimino G, Iken K, Avila C, Garcia FJ (1999) Absolute stereochemistry of diterpenoid diacylglycerols from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis. Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 10: 2647-2650

5. Iken K (1999). Feeding ecology of the Antarctic herbivorous gastropod Laevilacunaria antarctica Martens. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 236 (1): 133-148

4. Iken K, Quartino ML, Wiencke C (1999) Histological identification of macroalgae from stomach contents of the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps gives new insights in its feeding ecology. Marine Ecology, 20 (1): 11-18

3. Iken K, Avila C, Ciavatta ML, Fontana A, Cimino G (1998) Hodgsonal, a new drimane sesquiterpene from the mantle of the Antarctic nudibranch Bathydoris hodgsoni. Tetrahedron Letters, 39: 5635-5638

2. Iken K, Barrera-Oro ER, Quartino ML, Casaux RJ, Brey T (1997) Grazing in the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps: Evidence for selective feeding on macroalgae. Antarctic Science, 9 (4): 386-391

1. Weykam G, Gómez I, Wiencke C, Iken K, Klöser H (1996) Photosynthetic characteristics and C:N ratios of macroalgae from King George Island (Antarctica). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 204: 1-22

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