Lipid Composition of Slender Tuna (Allothunnus fallai) as Related to Lipid Composition of Their Feed (Nyctiphanes australis)

Abstract

The depot lipids of specimens of slender tuna (A. fallai) were characteristic of the zooplankton (N. australis) on which each was feeding. The lipids of the krill and of the depot fats were unusually rich in eicosaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, although the fatty acid composition of samples of krill from individual tuna stomachs varied markedly. This variation was reflected in the fatty acid composition of the tuna depot lipids. Because of the nature of their diet, the composition of the depot lipids of the slender tuna varied significantly from those of other tuna species. The liver lipids of the slender tuna were more characteristic of all fish liver oils.