The Biochemical Composition and Energy Content of Arctic Marine Macrozooplankton

Abstract

Protein, lipid, carbohydrate, water, ash and caloric energy contents during the open water season of 14 species of macrozooplankton and four epibenthic amphipods common to the inshore waters of southern Baffin Island are compared. The highest energy content occurred in euphausiids and hyperiid amphipods and the lowest in ctenophores and cnidarians. Lipid appeared to be an important energy reserve in most of the species examined, while carbohydrate concentrations were consistently low. In four dominant species (Mertensia ovum, Parathemistolibellula, Sagittaelegans and Thysanoessa inermis) there was evidence of a progressive increase in lipid and caloric energy during the course of the summer. Similarities and differences in biochemical composition and energy content of zooplankton from the Arctic and other marine areas are briefly discussed.