title: Seasonal variations in lipid composition of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus from the Menez Gwen vent field.
abstract: Specimens of the hydrothermal mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus collected in Menez Gwen hydrothermal vent field (NE Atlantic) during 2002-2003 were examined for feeding patterns variations through three seasons. The fatty acid profile and lipid classes of the mussels were studied, together with the MODIS/AQUA-derived near-surface chlorophyll a to test the hypothesis that surface productivity might be related to the feeding patterns of this species. The lipid levels showed pronounced seasonal fluctuations with the highest values occurring in January and August. Seasonal variations in lipid classes and fatty acid composition of neutral and polar lipids in the mussels are presented. Differences in the fatty acid profile of lipid classes in different seasons suggest that the higher energy requirements in summer and winter were supplied by bacterial biomarkers omega7 MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), whereas omega6 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and NMI (non-methylene-interrupted) fatty acids predominated during the spring. The MODIS/AQUA data show marked seasonal variability and an anomalous peak during January of 2003, although this cannot be directly linked to lipid composition variation.
authors.affiliation: IMAR - Centro da Universidade dos Açores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Cais de Sta. Cruz, 9001-382 Horta, Azores, Portugal. acolaco@uac.pt
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colaço
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lafon
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Narcisa M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bandarra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D017215:Satellite Communications; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids