The unique life cycle strategy of Antarctic krill: Adaptation to a high latitude environment

The polar pelagic environment is characterized by the extreme seasonal cycle of its environments such as day length, light intensity, sea ice extent and food availability. Possessing biological timing that guarantees regulation of their physiology and behaviour in response to seasonal cycles of environment is of particular advantage, and not surprisingly, many polar pelagic organisms have evolved endogenous rhythmic physiological and behavioural functions, which are synchronized with these cyclic changes. The polar environment is currently subject to the fastest warming on the planet affecting patterns of the polar marine environment (e.g. sea ice decline) as well as causing changes in water properties such as temperature rise and ocean acidification. In order to predict effects of these changes on ecosystems at species and community levels, it is of paramount importance to understand the basic principles of how the life cycle of key species is synchronized with their seasonal environment. The mechanisms leading to these rhythms, however, are far from clear. In this respect it is of fundamental scientific interest to understand the molecular basis of biological rhythms and clocks in polar pelagic organisms that have a central importance in polar pelagic food webs. This talk aims to give an overview of daily and seasonal pattern in physiological and behaviour functions of the polar key species Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, the drivers behind these patterns and their ecological consequences in general and in a changing environment in particular

Facing Southern Ocean warming: Temperature effects on whole animal performance of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)

The ongoing environmental changes in the Southern Ocean may cause a dramatic decrease in habitat quality. Due to its central position in the food web, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a key species of the marine Antarctic ecosystem. It is therefore crucial to understand how increasing water temperatures affect important krill life-cycle processes. Here, a long-term (August – March) laboratory acclimation experiment at different temperature scenarios (0.5 ◦C, 1.5 ◦C, 2.5 ◦C, 3.5 ◦C, 5 ◦C, 7 ◦C) was performed and the effects of elevated temperatures on whole animal parameters (O2 consumption, body length, length of the digestive gland) were analyzed. The response of krill oxygen consumption to different experimental temperatures differed between acute/short-term and long-term acclimation. After 8 months, krill oxygen consumption remained unchanged up to temperatures of 3.5 ◦C and was significantly higher at temperatures > 3.5 ◦C. Krill acclimated to temperatures ≥ 3.5 ◦C were significantly smaller at the end of the experiment. Limited food intake and/or conversion may have contributed to this effect, especially pronounced after the onset of the reproductive period. In addition, the seasonal growth pattern in males differed from that of females. Together, our findings indicate that warming Southern Ocean waters are likely to increase metabolic rate in krill, possibly altering the amount of energy available for other important life-cycle processes, a finding directly related to future population dynamics and fisheries management

The Brazilian cotton marketing initiative: ‘Sou de Algodão’ case

This case shares the experience of Arlindo Moura, president of ABRAPA (Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers), who led the implementation of a plan to incentivize the use of cotton in Brazil. The plan was built after analyzing the relevant cotton value chain, which includes producers, spinners, textile manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, fashion influencers, universities and consumers. A network of service providers and supporters were aligned around the objective of growing the volume of cotton used throughout the chain. The case shows the strategy behind the campaigns and several promotional actions. Students are presented with challenges related to moving the effort forward following a successful program launch and are asked to consider what ABRAPA should consider in order to establish a continuous, long term and self-sustained effort of increasing cotton demand. Marketing, finance and governance issues are included

Condition of larval (furcilia VI) and one year old juvenile Euphausia superba during the winter–spring transition in East Antarctica

Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, is an important species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Information on krill condition during winter and earlyspring is slowly evolving with our enhanced ability to sample at this time of year. However,because of the limited spatial and temporal data, our understanding of fundamental biological parameters for krill during winter is limited. Our study assessed the condition of Larval (furciliaVI) and one year old juvenile krill collected in East Antarctica (115°E–130°E and 64°S–66°S) from September to October 2012. Krill condition was assessed using morphometric, elemental and biochemical body composition, growth rates,oxygen uptake and lipid content and composition. Diet was assessed using fatty acid biomarkers analysed in the krill. The growth rate of larvae was 0.0038 mm day with an inter moult period of 14 days. The average oxygen uptake of juvenile krill was 0.3070.02 μl Oxygen consumed per mg dry weight per hour. Although protein was not significantly different amongst the krill analysed, the lipid content of krill was highly variable ranging from 9% to 27% dry weight in juveniles and from 4% to 13% dry weight in larvae. Specific algal biomarkers, fatty acids ratios, levels of both long-chain(ZC20) monounsaturated fatty acids and bacterial fatty acids found in krill were in di-Cative of the mixed nature of dietary sources and the opportunistic feeding capabilityof larval and juvenile krill at the end of winter

The Brazilian cotton marketing initiative: ‘Sou de Algodão’ case

This case shares the experience of Arlindo Moura, president of ABRAPA (Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers), who led the implementation of a plan to incentivize the use of cotton in Brazil. The plan was built after analyzing the relevant cotton value chain, which includes producers, spinners, textile manufacturers, clothing manufacturers, fashion influencers, universities and consumers. A network of service providers and supporters were aligned around the objective of growing the volume of cotton used throughout the chain. The case shows the strategy behind the campaigns and several promotional actions. Students are presented with challenges related to moving the effort forward following a successful program launch and are asked to consider what ABRAPA should consider in order to establish a continuous, long term and self-sustained effort of increasing cotton demand. Marketing, finance and governance issues are included