Growth and moulting in Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica Sars)

Moulting and growth as a key aspect of the life-history of crustaceans has been reviewed here for Meganyctiphanes norvegica. Moulting is a cyclical process with relatively constrained, uniform phases that have been well documented. The crustacean moult cycle has a large influence on growth-rates, reproduction and metabolism. Moult and growth are under hormonal control with further environmental influences. A pre-requisite for intensive studies is a detailed moult staging system. Here, a further refinement and temporal phasing is presented for M. norvegica. On such a basis, the dynamics of cuticle synthesis and degradation are shown. Moult and reproductive cycles are interlinked and krill is able to combine growth and reproduction in a way that allows females to achieve similar net growth rates to males. A synchronisation of physiological processes and behaviour related to growth and reproduction enhances environmental success. Moult staging can also be used to assess growth rates in the field. Some further technical approaches are reviewed. Laboratory maintenance and field data are combined to determine growth rates under various environmental conditions. These are related to life-growth assessments from population studies comparing krill along a latitudinal gradient. Life-cycle and physiological data indicate that Northern krill are able to cope with both warm and cold environments and have highly adaptable phenotypes. The species may serve as useful indicator of environmental change. Its potential proliferation in new environments may also have implications to regional food webs, given the krill's high level of growth and productivity and their pivotal trophic role.