This dataset summarizes allometric measurements on zooplankton and nekton species performed in the framework of the Dutch and German ICEFLUX projects. Measurements were performed on 639 individuals of 15 species from the Southern Ocean and 2374 individuals of 14 species from the Arctic Ocean, including euphausiids, fish, pelagic and ice-associated amphipods, cnidarians, salps, siphonophores, chaetognaths and a copepod. Animals were collected during three expeditions in the Southern Ocean (winter and summer) and three expeditions in the Arctic Ocean (spring and summer). In addition to measurements on length and mass, the sizes of body parts were measured, such as carapaces, eyes, heads, telsons, tails and otoliths.

Total length:Anterior margin of eye to tip of telson (Euphausia superba)Tip of the rostrum to tip of the telson (other euphausiids)Tip of head (following the curved dorsal line) to tip of telson (gammarid amphipods)Front of head (following the curved dorsal line) to tip of telson (hyperiid amphipods)Tip of the snout to the posterior margin of the caudal fin (fish)Tip of the tail excluding the tail fin (chaetognaths)Method/devices for total length and standard length: measuring board or stereo microscope