Predation on Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica Sars).
We consider predation as a function of prey concentration with a focus on how this interaction is influenced by biological-physical interactions, and wider oceanographic processes. In particular, we examine how the anti-predation behaviour of Northern krill interacts with ocean-circulation process to influence its vulnerability to predation. We describe how three-dimensional (3D) circulation interacts with in situ light levels to modulate predator-prey interactions from small to large scales, and illustrate how the stability of the predator-prey system is sometimes perturbed as a consequence. Northern krill predators include a wide range of species from the pelagic and benthic strata, as well as birds. Many exhibit adaptations in their feeding strategy to take advantage of the dynamic physical-biological processes that determine the distribution, concentration and vulnerability of Northern krill. Among them, baleen whales appear to have developed particularly efficient predation strategies. A literature search indicates that Northern krill are a major contributor to ecosystem function throughout its distributional range, and a key species with respect to the flow of energy to upper trophic levels. A list of future research needed to fill gaps in our understanding of Northern krill predator-prey interaction is provided.
Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, Québec, Canada.
Yvan
Y
Simard
Michel
M
Harvey
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002591:Cetacea; D003445:Crustacea; D017753:Ecosystem; D033201:Euphausiacea / Q000502:physiology*; D005399:Fishes; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*