Survival of juvenile northern quahogs during seasonal temperature decline likely a function of diet and NMI-fatty acid synthesis

Abstract

ABSTRACTAquacultured northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria, set in the environment for overwintering have experienced episodes of anomalous, highly variable and site-specific overwinter mortality. Prior research has revealed factors likely contributing to mortality during isothermal winter lows, when M. mercenaria do not feed, and the postwinter approach to spring. However, a synthesis of prior studies suggests juvenile M. mercenaria survival during the prewinter period of temperature may be subject to the timely dietary availability of two highly unsaturated fatty acids, 20:5n-3, eicosapentaneoic acid, and 22:6n-3, docosahexaneoic acid, and the biosynthesis of the nonmethylene interrupted fatty acids, 22:2Δ7,13 and 22:2Δ7,15.