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Ontogenetic changes in biochemical composition during larval and early postlarval development of Lepidophthalmus louisianensis, a ghost shrimp with abbreviated development
Citation:
Nates, S. F. AND C L. McKenney Jr. Ontogenetic changes in biochemical composition during larval and early postlarval development of Lepidophthalmus louisianensis, a ghost shrimp with abbreviated development. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY - PART B: BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 127(01):459-468, (2000).
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of the present study was to measure growth and biochemical composition during early development of L. louisianensis.
Description:
Larvae of the ghost shrimp, Lepidophthalmus louisianensis, were mass-reared under laboratory conditions (28|C; 20o/ooS) from hatching to the decapodid (D) stage. Iatroscan lipid class analysis revealed that polar lipids (Zoea I: 77.4|1.7%; Zoea II: 77.5|2.1%; Decapodid: 80.0|1.7%) and neutral lipids of which free fatty acids (Zoea I: 10.5|2.7%; Zoea II: 13.1|5.2%; Decapodid: 7.8|2.1%) were dominant represented the major lipid classes in larvae at every stage. Triglycerides were present in small amounts. Total lipids of zoeae and decapodids contained significant (p<=0.5) concentrations of palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) acids as the major fatty acids. Elemental composition of larvae revealed conspicuous changes in the ratio of body carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), with N being more stable during larval development, but C decreasing during the late decapodid stage. These data suggest the ability of L. louisianensis larvae to use polar lipids (PL) as metabolic fuel. This combined with the ability to incorporate saturated fatty acids into PL provides a selective advantage for fast development of new tissue and growth, characteristic of decapod crustacean larvae with lecithotrophic development.