The seasonal biochemical composition of the chaetognath Parasagitta elegans in Conception Bay, Newfoundland in relation to population dynamics and trophodynamics

Choe, Nami (1999) The seasonal biochemical composition of the chaetognath Parasagitta elegans in Conception Bay, Newfoundland in relation to population dynamics and trophodynamics. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The seasonal biochemical composition of Parasagitta elegans in the water column and benthic boundary layer of Conception Bay, Newfoundland was documented from 1997 to 1998. The seasonal variation in the biochemical levels of P. elegans primarily reflected the reproductive cycle. Protein and ash levels increased and lipid and carbohydrate levels decreased when the animals reproduced in the fall. The opposite trends occurred when the animals matured in the spring and summer. Feeding may have caused minor differences in biochemical composition between the spring of 1997 and 1998. Protein level was higher and ash and carbohydrate levels were lower in the spring of 1998. The proportion of Calanus spp. in the diet was significantly higher and the abundance of Calanus spp. increased earlier in the spring of 1998. This is the first study of the population dynamics, distribution, feeding and biochemical composition of chaetognaths from the benthic boundary layer.

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