FN Archimer Export Format PT J TI Relationship of morphometrics, total carotenoids, and total lipids with activity and sexual and spatial features in Euphausia superba BT AF Färber Lorda, Jaime Ceccaldi, Hubert J. AS 1:1;2:2; FF 1:;2:; C1 Departamento de Ecología, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México Académie des Sciences, Lettres et Arts de Marseille, Marseille, France C2 CICESE, MEXICO ACAD SCIENCES, FRANCE IN DOAJ IF 4.379 TC 3 UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00643/75471/76296.pdf https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00643/75471/76297.pdf LA English DT Article CR FIBEX - MD 25 BO Marion Dufresne AB Morphological differences associated with sex or stage, together with total lipids and carotenoids, were studied in Euphausia superba as possible indicators of physiological condition. E. superba displays sexual dimorphism during growth. A group of mature males, called Males II herein, has a greater abdominal length, suggesting that they are faster swimmers, a feature implying higher metabolic rates and a higher demand for protecting pigments like carotenoids. Mature Males II have proportionally lower lipids but higher total lipid-soluble carotenoids, a counterintuitive finding. Males II also have bigger eyes. Significant regressions with carotenoids were found for wet weight, abdominal length, and eye diameter. On a spatial analysis, population composition reflects reproductive activity. Males II would be in search of females for fecundation and, thus, are dominant in some areas. The PCA analysis of 10 allometric and biochemical variables show a distinct Males II group differing in morphology, carotenoids, and lipid contents. The carotenoid:lipid ratio was highest for Males II, supporting the hypothesis of the role of carotenoids in the activity of the species. Mature males may experience physiological stress during reproduction and probably die shortly afterwards. A relationship between activity, morphometrics, and carotenoid content seems evident, deserving further investigation. PY 2020 PD AUG SO Scientific Reports SN 2045-2322 PU Springer Science and Business Media LLC VL 10 IS 1 UT 000573233300006 DI 10.1038/s41598-020-69780-8 ID 75471 ER EF