The long-standing paradigm establishing that global production of Omega-3 (n–3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) derived almost exclusively from marine single-cell organisms, was recently challenged by the discovery that multiple invertebrates possess methyl-end (or
ω
x) desaturases, critical enzymes enabling the biosynthesis of n–3 LC-PUFA. However, the question of whether animals with
ω
x desaturases have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and hence can contribute to the production of these compounds in marine ecosystems remained unanswered. In the present study, we investigated the complete enzymatic complement involved in the n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthesis in
Tigriopus californicus
, an intertidal harpacticoid copepod. A total of two
ω
x desaturases, five front-end desaturases and six fatty acyl elongases were successfully isolated and functionally characterized. The
T. californicus ω
x desaturases enable the
de novo
biosynthesis of C
18
PUFA such as linoleic and α-linolenic acids, as well as several n–3 LC-PUFA from n–6 substrates. Functions demonstrated in front-end desaturases and fatty acyl elongases unveiled various routes through which
T. californicus
can biosynthesize the physiologically important arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Moreover,
T. californicus
possess a Δ4 desaturase, enabling the biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid via the ‘Δ4 pathway’. In conclusion, harpacticoid copepods such as
T. californicus
have complete n–3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways and such capacity illustrates major roles of these invertebrates in the provision of essential fatty acids to upper trophic levels.
Biosynthesis of essential fatty acids in Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797): Molecular cloning, functional characterisation and tissue distribution of a fatty acyl elongase
