Feeding ecology of Benthosema glaciale across the North Atlantic

The glacier lanternfish Benthosema glaciale is a key myctophid with wide distribution in the northern Atlantic. It species that has strong vertical migration capacity and have potential to move between surface waters mesopelagic depths diel cycle (DVM), mainly depending on ambient light conditions. We investigated feeding ecology of B. across Norwegian, Iceland, Irminger Labrador Sea basins. An important component diet was various types calanoid copepods, but some additional variability deep ‘House’s’ Appendicularia were only found stomachs from basin positively selected for here. large Calanus hyperboreus strongly Iceland Sea, while its smaller counterpart C. finmarchicus negatively Fish Irminger, Norwegian Seas displayed high number empty no fish Sea. Contrary expectation due being located at highest latitude, had significantly higher condition factor (for both small fish) liver indices compared other basins, abundance sampled population here very low. This contrasts “light environment exclusion” (LEE) hypothesis, which propose extreme latitudes restricts opportunities latitudes. suggested improved classification prey through stomach analyses should aim allow bioluminescent organisms be separated non-bioluminescent if feasible. would resolution analyse contents certainly progress our understanding success myctophids variable habitats.