HORIZONS Some ideas about the role of lipids in the life cycle of Calanus finmarchicus

A conceptual model of the possible role of lipids in the life cycle of Calanus finmarchicus is proposed. Lipid storage could play a key role at various levels: (i) by triggering diapause through variations in cholesterol and fatty acid derived hormone levels; (ii) by determining the overwintering depth in relation to the convective mixed layer; and (iii) by playing an important role in the population adaptation to the hydrological conditions of the basin. A number of ways to test the validity of the proposed hypotheses are proposed.