RNA content of the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba DANA), an estimator of natural growth rate
The ribonucleic acid (RNA) content of the krill was measured on specimens collected during the KAIYO-MARU cruise to the Wilkes Land, Antactica, January 1980. Of 41 specimens analysed, the RNA content varied from 2.5 to 8.2% of body protein (mean: 5.1%). A higher RNA content was seen in smaller speci...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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Japan Sea Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory
1989
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| Online Access: | https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=5046 http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00005046/ https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=5046&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1 |
| Summary: | The ribonucleic acid (RNA) content of the krill was measured on specimens collected during the KAIYO-MARU cruise to the Wilkes Land, Antactica, January 1980. Of 41 specimens analysed, the RNA content varied from 2.5 to 8.2% of body protein (mean: 5.1%). A higher RNA content was seen in smaller specimens, and the relationship was log Y=-0.34logX+1.27, where Yis the RNA content as percent of protein, and X is the body size as mg protein. Combining this equation with the RNA-growth rate equation of BÅMSTEDT and SKJOLDAL (Limnol. Oceanogr., 25, 304,1980), the growth rate of the krill was estimated to be 0.17-0.19 mm day^<-1> for specimens greater than 30 mm body length. Assuming a favorable feeding period of 6 months in a year for this animal, post-larvae could grow to the final size adults in 201 days. Validity of these results depends on the RNA-growth rate equation. In the light of possible species-specific variation in the RNA-growth rate relationship, this relationship needs to be established for the Antarctic krill in future laboratory experiments. |
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