Length and Weight Relationships of Euphausiids and Caloric Values of Meganyctiphanes Norvegica (M. Sars) in the Bay of Fundy

Abstract

Length to weight and other morphometric relationships were examined and the effects of preservatives on Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa inermis (Euphausiacea) from the Bay of Fundy were described. Weight increased exponentially with length, showing no significant difference between sexes. The relationships between two different total length measurements and carapace length are given so that studies from other areas using any of these three measurements can be compared. The change in slope of the line for the carapace to total length relationship for 0 and 1 year class animals revealed a change in body allometry, i.e., abdominal growth was reduced in the second year. A series of 14 weight change relationships from fresh to formalin through alcohol to dry weight demonstrated significant weight loss and change in total length depending on preservative or combination of preservatives used. Carapace length was found to be a better measurement than total length because no shrinkage occurred when exposed to preservatives nor was it susceptible to damage. A biochemical analysis of a sample of M. norvegica taken in August yielded a 79% water content, 56.0% protein, 13.1% lipid, and 15.8% ash, the last three values as a percentage of dry weight.