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IX.—The Biology of the Euphausiid Crustacean, Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars).*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2012

J. Mauchline
J. Mauchline
Affiliation:
The Marine Station, Millport and Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow.
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Synopsis

Analyses of winter and summer vertical migrations of Meganyctiphanes norvegica are given and the differences in behaviour pointed out. A vertical layering of size classes, larger specimens occurring deeper than smaller ones, is shown to exist during the day and night.

Four potential methods of feeding were found. The inter-relationships between vertical migration, feeding method used, and type of food eaten are discussed.

The relationship of carapace length to total length was found to depend on the state of maturity of M. norvegica.

M. norvegica matures at the age of 1 year, transference of the spermatophores taking place in January-February, the eggs being laid in March-April. The larvae take 2–3 months to reach adolescence and little growth in size takes place in the winter when the gonads are maturing. An age of 3 years may be attained but most only survive 1½—2 years.

The distribution within the Clyde Sea throughout the year is described. Most of the population were found to move to the North-east Arran Area for egg-laying.

A 24-hr. and annual periodicity of luminescence is described and correlated with the period of swarming of this species prior to spermatophore transference.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 67 , Issue 2 , 1959 , pp. 141 - 179
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1959

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Footnotes

†Now at Biology Section, Research and Development Branch, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Industrial Group, Windscale Works, Sellafield, Cumberland.
*

This paper was assisted in publication by a grant from the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

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