PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF ANTARCTIC MESOPELAGIC FISHES

Eleven mesopelagic fish species from the Weddell/Scotia Sea region of the Antarctic captured during the austral spring 1983, austral fall 1986, and austral winter 1988, were analyzed for proximate composition. Water, ash level, protein, lipid and carbohydrate were examined in relation to depth of occurrence and season. No depth-related trends were evident, primarily due to a low species diversity and minimal differences in those species' vertical distributions. The Antarctic species Electrona antarctica showed a significant increase in lipid level (% wet wt and % ash-free dry wt) between spring, fall and winter. The increase may signify an accumulation over the productive season, possibly as a reserve for the winter months. Lipid levels (% wet wt and % ash-free dry wt) were significantly lower in the Weddell Sea specimens examined in this study than in previously examined identical and congeneric species taken during the same season from a more productive near-shore Antarctic region. Comparisons with congeners and confamilials from tropical-subtropical and temperate systems revealed variable trends. The Antarctic species E. antarctica and Cyclothone microdon had lower water and protein (% wet wt) levels than similar species from tropical-subtropical or temperate regions. Lipid levels of the two species are similar to temperate individuals, while energy levels are slightly higher. In contrast, species of the genus Bathylagus show no trends in composition as a function of latitude. Differences in productivity, water-column temperature-structure, and seasonality are important considerations when examining trends among mesopelagic species. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.