IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Feeding in Arctic darkness: mid-winter diet of the pelagic amphipods Themisto abyssorum and T. libellula
Kraft, A.; Berge, J.; Varpe, O.; Falk-Petersen, S. (2012). Feeding in Arctic darkness: mid-winter diet of the pelagic amphipods Themisto abyssorum and T. libellula. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 159(1): 241-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2065-8
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Kraft, A.
  • Berge, J., more
  • Varpe, O.
  • Falk-Petersen, S., more

Abstract
    The pelagic amphipods Themisto abyssorum and Themisto libellula represent important links between the herbivore zooplankton community and higher trophic levels of the Arctic marine food webs. Large double structured eyes of both of these hyperiid species are assumed to be used for visual prey detection. However, no information is available on the feeding strategies of these visually searching predators for the period of the polar night, a time of year with no or very low levels of daylight. Here, we report on the stomach and gut content of both Themisto species collected during a January expedition around Svalbard (78° to 81°N). Results indicate that T. abyssorum and T. libellula feed actively during the Arctic winter. The major food source of both amphipods consisted of calanoid copepods, most frequently Calanus finmarchicus.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors