Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars, 1857)
A large, subarctic Atlantic krill, maringally present in the Arctic
Size
- Eggs & nauplii ~0.5 mm
- Adults 22-45 mm
Color & Characteristics
- Transparent, yellowish if rich in lipids, females might develop blue hue when spawning
- Eyes round, rostrum absent, photophores red
- Small post-ocular spines (one above each eye)
- Anntennae with backward pointing leaflet, carapace with denticle
- Abdominal segments without spines on keel
Habitat
- Subarctic Atlantic in shelf-break habitats deeper than 200 m, amd some some isolated deep fjords
- Transposted into the Chukchi Sea by currents
- Undergo diel vertical migrations, spending daytime at 100-400 m (with records to 1500 m), night-time 0-100 m
Feeding
- Primarily predatory on smaller zooplankton, but can consume algae when abundant
- Prey item for fish, squid, decapods, whales, seals, and seabirds
Life cycle
- Females lay several clutches of eggs (brood size 350-550) during spring
- Females require repeated mating after each molt to form new egg clutches
- Life cycles is typcial: eggs, nauplius, metanauplius, followed by several stages of feeding calytopsis, and furcillia larvae
- Juveniles resemble adults, and molt regularly while growing to adulthood over the first year of life
- Life expectancy not known, likely 1-2 years
Page Authors: Alexei Pinchuk & Russ Hopcroft
Created: Sept 3, 2010
