The food of<i>Meganyctiphanes norvegica</i>(M. Sars), with an assessment of the contributions of its components to the vitamin a reserves of the animal

Abstract

The importance of Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars) as a source of vitamin A for its predators has been demonstrated by Fisher, Kon &amp; Thompson (1955). Basing their conclusions on the observations of Macdonald (1927) on the feeding of M. norvegica in Loch Fyne, Fisher, Kon &amp; Thompson (1954) and Kon (1954) suggested a possible scheme of accumulation of vitamin A in the animal. They also made cursory examinations of the stomach contents from animals caught in the same area and their findings appeared to agree fairly well with those of Macdonald, except that from his results he concluded that phytoplankton was a major item in the diet. This conclusion has been disputed by Einarsson (1945) who called for more detailed investigation of fresh material in order to obtain a clearer picture of the feeding of north Atlantic euphausiids. Such information would be of great value in the study of the vitamin A chain in the plankton. We have, therefore, examined the stomach contents of M. norvegica over nearly two years to try to detect every type of food that might be eaten. In addition to our own survey, Dr J. Mauchline (1959) of the Marine Station, Millport, made a more intensive study of the food in relation to the diurnal migrations in July and November.