Adaptive Importance of Various Forms of Metabolic Processes in Marine Fish at High Latitudes

Abstract

Adaptation mechanisms at the energy “budget” level in marine species of Arctic fish were studied on the basis of long-term experimental research and published data. Low rates of growth, basic metabolism and reproductive contribution are observed in poikilothermic animals inhabiting the polar regions of the World Ocean. A high level of adaptation capabilities for survival of the species was revealed. With decreased energy costs for metabolic maintenance, the volume of synthesized protein increases upon low rates of its own production, which leads to a higher efficiency of growth in polar organisms. Analysis of the van’t Hoff temperature coefficients Q10 also confirms this distinction, showing that the growth rate depends on temperature to a lesser extent than the rate of energy metabolism.