Biochemical composition of the deep-sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens (Geryonidae): organic reserves of developing embryos and adults

Abstract

Deep-sea red crabs Chaceon quinquedens (Smith) were collected in traps at depths of 860 and 1043 m in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Ovigerous crabs were maintained in the laboratory and the developing embryos were sampled every 2 wk until hatching. Proximate analysis (lipid, protein, carbohydrate, and ash) of embryos was performed to determine patterns and rates of organic reserve utilization during embryogenesis. Midgut gland, gonads, and clutch (as appropriate) of adult crabs (males, non-ovigerous females and ovigerous females) were analyzed for the same components as the embryos. Red crab embryos exhibited different patterns of yolk deposition and subsequent depletion of yolk components during embryogenesis. There was a range of lipid to protein (L:P) ratios among the different clutches examined, indicating plasticity in the relative proportions of lipid and protein yolk. The energy used for embryogenesis was estimated by converting the amounts of lipid, protein and carbohydrate in the embryos to their caloric equivalents; final values, taken from 9 mo-old embryos whose siblings were hatching as zoeae, were subtracted from the initial values of sibling embryos sampled at the time of collection (2 to 3 mo old). The amount of energy consumed during embryogenesis in the laboratory was relatively constant (0.12 to 0.13 calegg-1). There was considerable variability among the concentrations of organic reserves in the midgut gland of adult crabs and in the ovaries of females. Variations in midgut gland L:P ratios and ovaries were related to the Communicated by N.H. Marcus, Tallahassee

Lipid dynamics during the embryonic development of Plesionika martia martia (Decapoda; Pandalidae), Palaemon serratus and P. elegans (Decapoda; Palaemonidae): relation to metabolic consumption

“…is probably a consequence of the type of larval development, which is similar in the 3 studied species, with several larval stages and a relatively long period of larval development. An increase in egg volume during the incubation period has been reported to be typical in several crustacean species (Clarke et al 1990, Biesiot & Perry 1995, Lardies & Wehrtmann 1996, Wehrtmann & Graeve 1998, Wehrtmann & Kattner 1998. In the present study, a significant increase in egg volume was also noted during embryogenesis (121, 188 and 79% in Plesionika martia martia, Palaemon serratus and Palaemon elegans, respectively).…”

“…In the present study, a significant increase in egg volume was also noted during embryogenesis (121, 188 and 79% in Plesionika martia martia, Palaemon serratus and Palaemon elegans, respectively). This increase is within the range described for other decapod species and is generally associated with water uptake and a subsequent wet weight increase, accompanied by a decrease in dry weight (Pandian 1970a, Biesiot & Perry 1995, Lardies & Wehrtmann 1996, Wehrtmann & Kattner 1998. Nevertheless, it is not completely clear whether the increase in water content is caused entirely by the absorption of water.…”

“…Although a similar trend of FA composition and depletion has been found in the present study, some small differences were encountered. Intraspecific differences have been attributed to female feeding ecology (Biesiot & Perry 1995), nutritional and physiological condition (Amsler & George 1984, Hopkins et al 1993, Wehrtmann & Kattner 1998, differential demands on resource allocation (Jaeckle 1995), and geographic and seasonal variations in embryonic development (Wehrtmann & Kattner 1998).…”

“…Dawson & Barnes 1966, Pandian 1970a, Achitiv & Barnes 1976, Amsler & George 1984, Biesiot & Perry 1995 and even fewer have looked at the FA depletion during embryonic development (Clarke et al 1990, Kattner et al 1994, Wehrtmann & Graeve 1998, Wehrtmann & Kattner 1998, Nates & McKenney 2000, Narciso & Morais 2001. A lot of research has been conducted to determine the essential FA requirements of crustacean species with aquaculture potential; a great deal of this research has focused on the quantitative and qualitative lipid requirements of commercially important species and relatively few studies have examined other crustacean species (D'Abramo & Sheen 1993, Fox et al 1994).…”

Biochemical contents of the ovary and hepatopancreas of <em>Uca longisignalis</em> and <em>Uca</em> nr. <em>minax</em>Contenido bioquímico del ovario y hepatopáncreas de <i>Uca longisignalis</i> y <i>Uca nr. minax</i>

“…minax also exhibited similar ovary N concentrations, which did not differ over the course of ovarian maturation, suggesting relatively stable protein levels. In the deep-sea crab, Chaceon quinquedens (Smith), protein levels also did not differ between ovaries of mature and advanced stages (Biesiot and Perry, 1995). In contrast, protein contents of other species such as Clibanarius longitarsus showed evidence of decrease as ovarian maturation progressed (Ajmal Khan and Natarajan, 1980).…”