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Abstract

The diet of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) has
been studied using a variety of techniques, but
current methods still suffer from problems that are
difficult to solve. This study examined an alternative
approach utilizing DNA as a prey biomarker.
Methods were developed for the preservation, extraction,
and identification of prey DNA from krill
collected in the field. Group-specific polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify diatom
prey (Phylum: Bacillariophyta) and the results from
DNA clone libraries were compared with microscopic
diet analysis. DNA analysis was superior to
microscopy for prey detection. However, differences
in prey relative abundance estimates between the
two techniques suggested some bias in the DNAbased
estimates. Quantification showed that large
amounts of prey DNA had been successfully preserved
and extracted. Overall the results suggest
that the application of DNA-based diet analysis to
krill warrants further investigation, particularly for
prey that are difficult to study using other methods.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Passmore, AJ and Jarman, SN and Swadling, KM
Keywords:	diet analysis — foodweb — trophic
Journal or Publication Title:	Marine Biotechnology
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-005-6088-8
Additional Information:	The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
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