University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

The foraging ecology of an oceanic squid, Todarodes filippovae: The use of signature lipid profiling to monitor ecosystem change

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 18:26 authored by Pethybridge, HR, Peter Nichols, Patti VirtuePatti Virtue, Jackson, GD
Signature lipid/fatty acid and stomach content analyses were used in combination to examine the feeding ecology of Todarodes filippovae, an abundant oceanic squid with a broad circumpolar distribution in continental slope waters in the Southern Ocean. Both techniques show a diet that is closely linked to prey availability and abundance, with some specialisation occurring for Myctophid fishes which dominated the diet numerically and taxonomically. Mean monthly differences in total lipid content of the digestive gland correlated with satellite-derived sea surface chlorophyll, illustrating that the diet is closely linked to short-term (monthly) temporal changes of primary productivity. Multidimensional scaling analysis of prey and T. filippovae signature fatty acid profiles revealed apparent intra-specific predator to prey relationships. Significant season versus site interactions for various lipid classes and fatty acids were observed, further indicating that temporal dietary shifts are related to site-specific oceanography and ecosystem structure (prey composition and/or productivity). Comparing fatty acid profiles with other Southern Ocean squid species, interspecific similarities and differences in diet composition were evident. Results demonstrate that signature lipid profiling of squid can be used as a complimentary or even alternative and cost effective tool to examine key changes in prey-community structure and ecosystem productivity. Such knowledge is fundamental to better understanding the effects of environmental perturbations from fisheries, climate change and pollution.

History

Publication title

Deep-Sea Research Part II

Volume

95

Pagination

119-128

ISSN

0967-0645

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd

Place of publication

The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1Gb

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Marine biodiversity

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC