The variability in abundance of eugregarines living in the Antarctic krill

Abstract

The variability in abundance of eugregarines associated with the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba was studied using samples collected from the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. Body length, maturity stage and moult stage with respect to variation in eugregarines infection in krill were examined. Body length was significantly correlated with abundance of eugregarines. The interaction between moult stage and maturity stage was statistically analyzed by ANCOVA with body length as the covariate. The analysis of moult stage did not show a significant effect on abundance of eugregarines while the interaction between maturity stage and body length showed significance. Larger krill have more eugregarines than smaller krill at the same maturity stage. Body length appears to be the most important factor determining the abundance of eugregarines