Abstract
Three species of benthopelagic Iysianassoid amphipods, Anonyx nugax, Orchomenella (Orchomenopsis) obtusa and Tmetonyx cicada were captured in bottom traps in Malangen, a subarctic Norwegian fjord. Their mean weight-specific respiration rates decreased with increasing mean biomass. In experiments conducted with Orchomenella (Orchomenopsis) obtusa and Tmetonyx cicada, these two species survived starvation periods of 60 to 108 days. Starved specimens always had a higher water content and lower weight-specific respiration rates compared to fed individuals. The possible role of benthopelagic amphipods in the marine food web of a subarctic fjord is discussed.
