Comparative Study of Lipid Content in Leptoclinus maculatus Postlarvae from Kongsfjord and Rjipfjord, Svalbard Archipelago

Abstract

A comparative study of lipid profile of the daubed shanny Leptoclinus maculatus postlarvae from fjords of different domains (arctic-boreal Kongsfjord and high-arctic Rjipfjord) of Svalbard Archipelago waters in summer was performed. A more efficient accumulation of lipids in the fishes from Kongsfjord compared to Rjipfjord due to triacylglycerols and wax esters was established. These differences may be related mainly to the trophic conditions of the habitat (species composition, abundance, and availability of food items). The higher level of cholesterol esters than wax esters at the L1 stage of development of the daubed shanny postlarvae compared to older fishes pointed to their active feeding mainly on phytoplankton. The differences in the content of certain classes of phospholipids may indicate adaptive changes at the level of biomembranes, contributing to the maintenance of cell homeostasis in response to abiotic environmental factors, and reflect their additional intake with food at the early stages of fish development.