Metabolism and chemical composition of crustaceans from the Antarctic mesopelagic zone

摘要: Abstract Rates of oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and phosphate were measured in conjunction with analyses water content, ash four elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus) on seven crustacean species from the mesopelagic zone (200–1000 m depth) Antarctic Ocean. To minimize body mass effect, rates expressed as adjusted rates, dividing by “metabolic size” a nitrogen basis. Adjusted ranged 1.0 to 4.1 μl O2 (mg N)−0.85h−1 for consumption (AMROO2), 0.06 0.25 μg N N)−0.84h−1 (AMRNH4) 0.03 1.1 P N)−0.87h−1 (AMRPO4). Comparison these crustaceans epipelagic same waters at temperature (0.2°C) revealed rate is 48% average AMRO2, 29% AMRNH4 267% AMRPO4. Atomic O:N ratios 19 74, which are much higher than theoretical value (7 8) primary carnivores, suggesting an opportunistic feeding pattern crustaceans. Water, element contents deep-sea showed high interspecific variations: no consistent was seen comparison those living shallow waters. As AMRO2 represents overall metabolic processes animal, observed reduction about one half zones may be explained buoyancy and/or less active swimming