Condition and diet of larval Pleuragramma antarcticum (Nototheniidae) from Terre Adélie (Antarctica) during summer

• Main Authors: Koubbi, Philippe, Vallet, C., Razouls, S., Grioche, A., Hilde, D., Courcot, L., Janquin, M.A., Vacchi, Marino, Hureau, Jean-Claude
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Société Française d'Ichtyologie 2007
• Subjects: Condition index, Diet, Larvae, Nototheniidae, Pleuragramma antarcticum, Southern Ocean; Southern Ocean; Austral; Terre Adélie; Terre-Adélie; Antarc*; Antarctica; Copepods
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2007-311-009; http://sfi-cybium.fr/fr/condition-and-diet-larval-pleuragramma-antarcticum-nototheniidae-terre-ad%C3%A9lie-antarctica-during

During austral summer 1996, the ichthyoplankton was sampled near the coast of Terre Adélie. Pleuragramma antarcticum Boulenger, 1902 constituted 99% of the sampled larvae. Larval fish condition was investigated by histology of the digestive organs. Most of the larvae were in good condition or slightly starved, some of them were severely starved but none were at a point of no-return. It seems that larvae feeding mainly on copepods are in better condition than those feeding mainly on diatoms, but also that those having an omnivorous diet are in better condition. There was no evidence for a build-up of body reserves allowing to sustain the larvae over winter.