Synchronized behavioural patterns in Antarctic krill

1
Synchronized behavioural patterns in Antarctic
krill

• Ted Gaten, Department of Biology
• University of Leicester
• Leicester U.K.

2
DVM in Antarctic krill

• Less than northern krill
• Variable in amplitude
• Show 12h 24h rhythms
• Food supply is main factor

Godlewska 1996 Polish Arch. Hydrobiol. 43 9-63
3
Krill behaviour

• Locomotor activity measured
• Acrylic tubes 14cm x 50cm
• IR emitters/receivers top bottom
• Single blue LED above tube
• Activity monitored for 5 10 days
• LD DD
• Temporal spatial activity profile

4
RRS James Clark Ross
5
Molecular biology

• 1. Identify canonical circadian genes
• 2. Temporal expression of clock genes
• 3. Spatial pattern of expression
• 4. Identification of genes controlling
  moulting/spawning rhythmicity

6
Southern Ocean fieldwork 2008

• From the Falkland Isles
• to the South Orkneys
• Transect to South Georgia

7
South Orkneys
8
Sampling