INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION OF FATTY-ACID PROFILE IN WILD POPULATIONS OF CHIROCEPHALUS-DIAPHANUS PREVOST (ANOSTRACA)

Ten Chirocephalus diaphanus populations from mountain and plain pools have been studied to evaluate intraspecific variation in fatty acid co mposition. A high variability in total lipid contents was recorded wit hin mountain and plain populations, the latter having on the average h igher lipid totals than the former. Similarly, significant differences in fatty acid profiles were found irrespective of the predictable or stable characteristics of the pool of origin and of the range of varia tion in the environmental variables. This seems to suggest that food q uality and/or availability, rather than abiotic characteristics themse lves, affect the fatty acid pattern of the fairy shrimps.