Feeding by Euphausia superba and copepod species in response to varying concentrations of phytoplankton.

Abstract

The feeding behaviour of dominant copepod species (Calanus propinquus, Calanoides acutus, Rhincalanus gigas, Metridia gerlachei, and M. curticauda) and of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba was studied in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. In November-December 1980, Thalassiosira spp. dominated close to the ice-edge, whereas Corethron criophilum was predominant in the Drake Passage. In February 1982, the diatoms C. criophilum, Chaetoceros spp. and Biddulphia spp, as well as mu -flagellates were most abundant. However, all copepod species, as well as krill, fed efficiently on the most abundant food item and fed on the same food organisms. Metridia gerlachei showing higher feeding rates than the other animals studied.-from Author