LOCAL VARIATIONS IN SIZE AND ACTIVITY AMONG CALANUS-FINMARCHICUS AND METRIDIA-LONGA (COPEPODA, CALANOIDA) OVERWINTERING ON THE WEST-COAST OF NORWAY

Vertical net hauls were taken at 13 stations between latitude 60.degree.08''N - 61.degree.20''N and longitude 03.degree.04''E - 07.degree.00''E in late Nov. 1980. Size and activity characteristics of C. finmarchicus and M. longa were studied. Significant differences were noted between C. finmarchicus from different stations. Average body length, dry weight, protein and lipid contents, gonad development and amylase and trypsin activities varied, but average gut fullness and trypsin/amylase ratio appeared constant. M. longa from different stations showed significant differences in average body length, dry weight, protein content, amylase and trypsin activities and gut fullness, but there were no apparent variations in lipid content and trypsin/amylase ratio. Those animals inhabiting the most seaward station tended to show the most specific local characteristics. M. longa had consistently lower lipid proportion with higher gut fullness and digestive-enzyme activities than C. finmarchicus. C. finmarchicus had probably assumed a winter state of low activity with dependence on stored energy while M. longa relied more upon utilization of available food.