Krill are thought to be predominantly herbivorous, but a heterotrophic diet might be crucial for their growth and survival. To compare the influence of herbivory and carnivory on krill we conducted a nine month feeding trial. We examined lipid composition of the hepatopancreas, abdomen and remaining body portions of krill fed diatoms at bloom condition levels, and diatoms with the addition of pellets or minced clam meat to simulate a partly carnivorous diet. Mortality, dry mass and lipid content were similar among treatments. We examined lipid class and fatty acid profiles, with emphasis placed on the ratio of storage (triacylglycerol) to structural (polar lipid) lipid and key essential omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3. The triacylglycerol : polar lipid ratio increased in krill fed on the mixed diet as did the 20:5ω3 : 22:6ω3 ratio. Overall these findings indicate that provision of clam in the diet improved krill condition, and further suggest that carnivory may aid krill growth in the wild under certain environmental conditions. © Antarctic Science Ltd.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Oceanography
Research Field:	Biological Oceanography
Objective Division:	Environment
Objective Group:	Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Objective Field:	Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
UTAS Author:	Yoshida, T (Mr Toshihiro Yoshida)
UTAS Author:	Virtue, P (Associate Professor Patti Virtue)
UTAS Author:	Swadling, KM (Dr Kerrie Swadling)
UTAS Author:	Nicol, S (Dr Stephen Nicol)
UTAS Author:	Nichols, PD (Dr Peter Nichols)
ID Code:	49957
Year Published:	2007
Web of Science® Times Cited:	9
Deposited By:	IASOS
Deposited On:	2007-08-01
Last Modified:	2009-09-10
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