Population structure and accumulation of lipids in the ctenophore Mertensia ovum

We studied the abundance, length-frequency distribution and body composition (lipid accumulation) of the ctenophore Mertensia ovum in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (79°N) between May 2001 and April 2002. The highest abundances were found during summer in the outer and middle areas of the fjord, possibly ca...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 2006-09, Vol.149 (6), p.1345-1353
Main Authors: Lundberg, Marte, Hop, Haakon, Eiane, Ketil, Gulliksen, Bjørn, Falk-Petersen, Stig
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal reproduction
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
animals
Aquatic life
Biological and medical sciences
body composition
Cnidaria. Ctenaria
energy costs
Frequency distribution
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
lipid content
Lipids
longevity
Marine
Marine biology
Mertensia
Mertensia ovum
ova
Overwintering
Population structure
reproduction
Sea water ecosystems
Spawning
summer
Synecology
Zooplankton
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We studied the abundance, length-frequency distribution and body composition (lipid accumulation) of the ctenophore Mertensia ovum in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (79°N) between May 2001 and April 2002. The highest abundances were found during summer in the outer and middle areas of the fjord, possibly caused by the concentration of advected zooplankton. Polymodal length-frequencies indicated a life span of 2 years, with 0, 1 and 2-groups being present in summer. Total lipid for a standardized animal decreased from May to August, and increased to the highest level in September. Relative lipid content was always highest in the 0-group, probably reflecting reduction of lipid levels due to increased energy costs during reproduction for the older age groups. Lipids probably are used to fuel prolonged reproduction from May to August until spawning ends by September. The overwintering age groups (0 and 1) subsequently build up lipid reserves for the next years’ spawning.
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/s00227-006-0283-7