The role of glycogen during the ontogenesis of Chironomus anthracinus (Chironomidae, Diptera)

Abstract

Large fluctuations in glycogen content were found in larvae, pupae and adults of Chironomus anthracinus (Zetterstedt) from the profundal zone of Lake Esrom, Denmark . In 2nd, 3rd and 4ih instar larvae the glycogen concentration (expressed as percentage of dry weight) increased during periods of aerobic conditions to a maximum of 25%, but decreased in periods of hypoxia longer than two months to 10-12% in young larvae . A further decrease to about 5% took place, when moulting from 2nd to 3rd or from 3rd to 4th instar occurred after overturn . Prior to pupation the glycogen concentration was restored to 26-28% . The glycogen concentration approximated 22% in young pupae, but decreased during the pupal stage and newly hatched adults contained 12-15% . Finally, the glycogen store of both males and females was further reduced during the swarming period . Thus, glycogen seems to be an important energy source (1) during periods with hypoxic conditions, (2) during periods with high internal energy requirement such as ecdyses and metamorphosis, and (3) during the non-feeding adult life stage .

Sex- and Developmental Stage-Related Changes in Energy Reserves in Fourth-instar Larvae of the MidgeChironomus ripariusMeigen (Diptera: Chironomidae): Implications for Ecotoxicity Testing

“…These differences are important mainly in the case of energy-yielding substrates, especially triglycerides and glycerol, in the Table 1). This is in agreement with the results obtained by Hamburger et al (1996) and Hwang et al (2001), who observed that, at pupae and adult stages, females presented higher levels of carbohydrates and lipids than males. As in some other groups of aquatic insects, such as Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, chironomid adults mostly rely on the energy stored during the larval stage to accomplish reproduction (Tokeshi 1995), and the adult, reproductive phase is highly dependent on the preceding feeding phase, both qualitatively and quantitatively (Pé ry et al 2002, Ducrot et al 2004).…”

“…Dynamics of glycogen during the ontogenesis of Chironomus anthracinus have been studied by Hamburger et al (1996). In this species, storage of glycogen starts in the very early larval instars, reaching maximum values in fourth-instar larvae.…”

Effects of copper on energy metabolism and larval development in the midge Chironomus riparius

“…The status of sugar and lipid reserves during the larval stage may therefore have consequences on critical events of the life cycle such as pupation and metamorphosis. In particular, glycogen is considered as the main source of energy during metamorphosis and non-feeding adult life stage (Hamburger et al, 1996). De Haas et al (2004) demonstrated at low copper concentration ( £50 mg/kg), the influence of food quantity was dominant, and until copper concentration reached Figure 5.…”

Energetics of metamorphic climax in the southern toad ( Bufo terrestris )

“…For example, the dipteran Chironomus anthracinus uses glycogen (Hamburger et al 1996), the oyster Ostrea edulis uses protein (Rodriguez et al 1990), and the bone fish (Albula sp. ; Padrón et al 1996) and some amphibians (Sheridan and Kao 1998) use stored lipids.…”