Distribution, maturity and population structure of Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa inermis around Iceland in spring

Krill were collected 14-29 May 2013 using a macrozooplankton trawl. Biomass of both species combined was significantly higher in southwest than in north and east.

M. norvegica clearly dominated in Atlantic waters, whereas T. inermis was more evenly distributed around the island, while the highest values were also observed in the southwest for this species. Simple linear regressions showed that the abundance of M. norvegica was positively related to temperature, salinity and phytoplankton concentration, while the abundance of T. inermis was negatively related to bathymetry. Multiple linear regression analyses did not add to this information of a positive relationship between abundance and temperature for M. norvegica, while T. inermis was shown to be negatively related to both temperature and bathymetry.