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In situ growth rate estimates of Southern Ocean krill, Thysanoessa macrura

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2019

Jake R. Wallis*
Affiliation:
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 129, Hobart Tasmania 7001Australia Antarctic Climate & Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 80, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
Jessica E. Melvin
Affiliation:
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 129, Hobart Tasmania 7001Australia Antarctic Climate & Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 80, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
Robert King
Affiliation:
Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
So Kawaguchi
Affiliation:
Antarctic Climate & Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 80, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia

Abstract

Growth, which is intrinsically linked to environmental conditions including temperature and food availability are highly variable both temporally and spatially. Estimates of growth rates of the Southern Ocean euphausiid Thysanoessa macrura are currently restricted to limited studies which rely upon repeated sampling and length-frequency analysis to quantify growth rates. The instantaneous growth method (IGR) was used to measure the growth rate of T. macrura successfully in the southern Kerulen Plateau region during summer, providing the first IGR parameters for the Southern Ocean euphausiid species. Results of the four-day IGR incubation indicate a period of low somatic growth for adult T. macrura. Males had a longer intermoult period (IMP) (62 days) than females (42 days), but the sexes exhibited similar daily growth rates of 0.011 mm day−1 and 0.012 mm day−1 respectively. Juveniles exhibited the fastest growth, with an IMP of 13 days and daily growth rate of 0.055 mm day−1 indicating a prolonged growth season, similar to the Antarctic krill E. superba. Consequently, we highlight the usability of the IGR method and strongly encourage its use in developing a comprehensive understanding of spatial and seasonal growth patterns of T. macrura.

Type
Biological Sciences
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2019 

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