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Physiological adaptations of an under-ice population of Pseudocalanus in Barrow Strait (N.W.T) to increasing food supply in spring

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Summary

Zooplankton and water samples were collected at weekly intervals between April 25 and May 30, 1986 in Barrow Strait, N.W.T. (Canadian Arctic Archipelago). In tows from 0–30 m, the zooplankton community (>202 μm) was dominated by Pseudocalanus. The population was apparently growing and developing as shown by an increase in the proportion of adults (stage VI) and decreases in the proportion of stages III, IV, and V as the season progressed. Respiration and excretion rates of the Pseudocalanus populations were probably linked, there being an immediate increase in excretion rate, accompanying an increase in feeding rate when chlorophyll concentrations increased, which was followed by a smaller increase in respiration rate after a time lag. Hence, there was a large decrease in the O∶N ratio. Increased metabolism coincided with changes in the population structure, as did protease and bodily protein, but could not be clearly linked to dietary acclimation. Only laminarinase activity could be statistically related to an identifiable fraction of potential nutritional value in the water, particulate soluble carbohydrate, but neither showed overall seasonal change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plynouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, PL1 3DH, West Hoe, UK

    A. W. Bedo

  2. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Biological Sciences Branch, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

    E. J. H. Head, R. J. Conover, E. P. W. Horne & L. R. Harris

Authors
  1. A. W. Bedo
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  2. E. J. H. Head
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  3. R. J. Conover
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  4. E. P. W. Horne
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  5. L. R. Harris
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Bedo, A.W., Head, E.J.H., Conover, R.J. et al. Physiological adaptations of an under-ice population of Pseudocalanus in Barrow Strait (N.W.T) to increasing food supply in spring. Polar Biol 10, 561–570 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239367

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239367

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