Prosome length as well as carbon and nitrogen content of Calanus finmarchicus from the North Atlantic collected during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM26 in spring 2013

The prosome length of copepods from each station was measured on board with a dissecting microscope equipped with an ocular micrometer. Individuals were placed in pre-weighed tin caps and dried for 48 h at 60°C on board. Dry samples were transferred to the AWI and weighed again. Copepod dry mass was then calculated as the difference between the empty weight and the weight of the tin cap containing one individual. The content of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) then was analysed with a CN-analyser (EuroEA Element Analyser, Hekatech) with acetanilide as standard.

Protein content of Calanus finmarchicus from the North Atlantic collected during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM26 in spring 2013

For the determination of water-soluble protein content of C. finmarchicus of the different stations the Qubit® Protein Assay Kit (Invitrogen) was used. Analysis was performed with extracts of 10 copepods. Working solution was prepared with Qubit® protein reagent and Qubit® protein buffer (1:200). 190 µL working solution was pipetted into each well of a micro plate and 10 µL of sample or Qubit® protein standard (0, 200 and 400 ng/µL) was added. Solutions were mixed and incubated for 15 min at room temperature. Measurements were conducted with a micro plate reader (TriStar LB 941, Berthold Technologies) at 485 nm excitation and 590 nm emission, using the software MikroWin2000 (Berthold Technologies).

Enzyme activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes of Calanus finmarchicus from Maria S. Merian cruise MSM26 in spring 2013

The present study aimed to contribute to the knowledge on the intraspecific variations of enzyme activities in populations of Calanus finmarchicus from different longitudes across the North Atlantic Ocean and their relation to changing environmental conditions. C. finmarchicus was sampled across the North Atlantic in basins with decreasing temperature regimes from east to west (Iceland Basin, Irminger Basin and Labrador Basin) in late March/early April 2013. Potential maximum enzyme activities of digestive (proteinases and lipases/esterases) and metabolic (citrate synthase) enzymes of copepods from all sampling stations were analysed and thermal profiles (5-50°C) of enzyme activities were determined. In order to investigate its acclimation potential, C. finmarchicus were acclimated to 4°C and 15°C for two weeks and thermal profiles of enzyme activities were compared afterwards.