Lipids in Euphausia superba ...

• Main Author: Virtue, Patti
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Euphausia superba
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23248160; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Lipids_in_Euphausia_superba/23248160

Aspects of the life history and overwintering survival strategies of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) were interpreted through analyses of lipid class, fatty acid and sterol content, and composition. Both laboratory and field studies were undertaken to provide information on the biochemical and physiological consequences of starvation, on dietary sources and on reproduction. Starvation in krill, both short term (19 days) and long term (130 days), was investigated. Lipids are a source of short term energy in krill. The relative levels of polar lipids, free fatty acids and cholesterol in the digestive gland provide indices of the nutritional condition of Euphausia superba in the field in the short term. However, throughout long term starvation levels of both triacylglycerol and polar lipid in krill did not change significantly. Therefore, lipid metabolism is not considered to be the major mechanism for energy production during long term starvation as is usually the case in most other polar zooplankton. ...