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Lipid characterization of Pleuragramma antarcticum (Nothoteniidae) larvae off East Antarctica (139°E–145.10°E) during summer

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Abstract

Pleuragramma antarcticum (Antarctic silverfish) larvae are a key component of the neritic assemblages in the Antarctic coastal waters and can be considered as an indicator of the future changes that may occur in this area. Lipid class and fatty acid composition was studied to assess the nutritional status and evaluate the type of dominant trophic interactions of P. antarcticum larvae collected between Terre Adélie and the Mertz Glacier Tongue (139°E–145.10°E) during summer 2007. P. antarcticum larvae exhibit moderate lipid levels (11.9–15.0% dry weight). Lipid class analyses showed a similar pattern over the study area consisting mainly of polar lipids (61–75% of total lipids). During their first summer, larvae started to accumulate small amount of lipid reserves in the form of triacylglycerols (10–16% of total lipids). Polar lipids were dominated by phosphatidylcholine (55–59%) followed by phosphatidylethanolamine (19–21%). Fatty acid signature of triacylglycerols indicates (1) a dominance of copepod of the Oithona type in the trophic pattern of P. antarcticum larvae and (2) a significant contribution of phytoplankton. In the same way, the analysis of gut content shows that 70% of larvae fed on various assemblages of phytoplankton and zooplankton (mainly copepods) and 30% of larvae fed exclusively on phytoplankton. Although a carnivorous diet is commonly described, our results suggest that P. antarcticum larvae showed an opportunistic feeding strategy (i.e. high degree of omnivory) and that dietary energy seems to be mainly directed towards fast growth rather than energy storage for periods of starvation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Captain Xavier Le Bras and the crew of the R/V l’Astrolabe, Alain Pierre and Alain Pottier from IPEV for the logistic help onboard. We also thank members of the ICOTA expedition and volunteers for help with the field work. Funding was provided by Institut Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) and Zone Atelier Antarctique (CNRS). Thanks to Lucie Courcot for her work with the SEM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Univ Lille Nord de France, 59000, Lille, France

    Eric Tavernier & Carole Vallet

  2. Département Génie Biologique, ULCO, BP 120, 62327, Boulogne sur Mer, France

    Eric Tavernier

  3. Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche, UMR 7093 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, BP 28, 06234, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

    Patrick Mayzaud, Marc Boutoute & Philippe Koubbi

  4. Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences, UMR 8187, Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale, 62930, Wimereux, France

    Carole Vallet

  5. Université d’Artois, IUFM Nord-Pas de Calais, Centre d’Outreau, 62230, Outreau, France

    Carole Vallet

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  1. Eric Tavernier
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  2. Patrick Mayzaud
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Correspondence to Eric Tavernier.

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Tavernier, E., Mayzaud, P., Boutoute, M. et al. Lipid characterization of Pleuragramma antarcticum (Nothoteniidae) larvae off East Antarctica (139°E–145.10°E) during summer. Polar Biol 35, 829–840 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-011-1127-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-011-1127-6

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