Variation in fatty acid content among benthic invertebrates in a seasonally driven system

At temperate latitudes where seasonal changing environmental conditions strongly affect the magnitude, duration and species composition of pelagic primary production, macrobenthic organisms living below photic zone rely on sedimentation organic matter as their energy source. The succession from nutritious spring blooms to summer cyanobacteria is assumed reduce food quality for benthic consumers fatty acid (FA) profiles. In contrast, we find low variability in FA content five macroinvertebrates spanning two trophic levels Baltic Sea, a system with high variation phytoplankton composition. However, major groups vary greatly between species. results suggest that have evolved metabolism adapted degraded sedimenting material. Moreover, our study shows macrofauna rather than availability essential nutrients higher levels.