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Effect of a carnivorous diet on the lipids, fatty acids and condition of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2007

Wilhelm Hagen ,
Toshihiro Yoshida ,
Patti Virtue ,
So Kawaguchi ,
Kerrie M. Swadling ,
Stephen Nicol  and
Peter D. Nichols
Wilhelm Hagen*
Affiliation:
Marine Zoology, University of Bremen, D-28334 Bremen, Germany
Toshihiro Yoshida
Affiliation:
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 77, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia Australian Antarctic Division, TAS 7050, Australia
Patti Virtue
Affiliation:
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 77, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
So Kawaguchi
Affiliation:
Australian Antarctic Division, TAS 7050, Australia
Kerrie M. Swadling
Affiliation:
TAFI, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 49, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
Stephen Nicol
Affiliation:
Australian Antarctic Division, TAS 7050, Australia ACE CRC, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 80, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
Peter D. Nichols
Affiliation:
ACE CRC, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 80, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia CSIRO, Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
*
*corresponding author:whagen@uni-bremen.de
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Abstract

Krill are thought to be predominantly herbivorous, but a heterotrophic diet might be crucial for their growth and survival. To compare the influence of herbivory and carnivory on krill we conducted a nine month feeding trial. We examined lipid composition of the hepatopancreas, abdomen and remaining body portions of krill fed diatoms at bloom condition levels, and diatoms with the addition of pellets or minced clam meat to simulate a partly carnivorous diet. Mortality, dry mass and lipid content were similar among treatments. We examined lipid class and fatty acid profiles, with emphasis placed on the ratio of storage (triacylglycerol) to structural (polar lipid) lipid and key essential omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3. The triacylglycerol : polar lipid ratio increased in krill fed on the mixed diet as did the 20:5ω3 : 22:6ω3 ratio. Overall these findings indicate that provision of clam in the diet improved krill condition, and further suggest that carnivory may aid krill growth in the wild under certain environmental conditions.

Keywords

copepodspolar lipidpolyunsaturated fatty acidstriacylglyceroltrophic interactions
Type
IX SCAR International Biology Symposium
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 19 , Issue 2: Special Issue: IX SCAR International Biology Symposium. Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica , June 2007 , pp. 183 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2007

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