Proximate composition and nucleic acid content of premetamorphic leptocephalus larvae of the congrid eel Ariosoma balearicum
Donnelly, J.; Torres, J.J.; Crabtree, R.E. (1995). Proximate composition and nucleic acid content of premetamorphic leptocephalus larvae of the congrid eel Ariosoma balearicum. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 123(4): 851-858. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00349130
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
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| Keywords |
Acids > Organic compounds > Organic acids > Nucleic acids > DNA
Acids > Organic compounds > Organic acids > Nucleic acids > RNA
Ash content
Chemical compounds > Organic compounds > Amines > Hexosamines
Chemical compounds > Organic compounds > Carbohydrates
Chemical compounds > Organic compounds > Proteins
Composition > Biochemical composition
Developmental stages > Larvae > Fish larvae
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Regression analysis
Water content
Ariosoma balearicum (Delaroche, 1809) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Donnelly, J.
- Torres, J.J.
- Crabtree, R.E.
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| Abstract |
Water, ash, proximate composition (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, hexosamine), and nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) content were measured in premetamorphic larvae of the congrid eel Ariosoma balearicum collected from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Specimens ranged from 15.0 to 202.3 mm total length (TL) and 0.0116 to 4.3860 g wet mass (WM). Water content increased linearly with increasing specimen mass over the entire size range; consequently, percent water was uniform and had a mean value of 92.9 plus or minus 1.09% WM. Ash content also increased linearly with specimen mass, but only up to a mass of similar to 2.5 g WM (165 mm TL). Ash content in specimens > 165 mm TL showed only a small increase with mass, suggesting an improved osmoregulatory capability in larger individuals. The absolute amount of all proximate components increased with increasing specimen size, but rates of deposition among the components varied, resulting in different patterns in the relative concentrations of each with growth. Protein dominated the ash-free dry mass (AFDM) throughout development (29 to 59% AFDM); carbohydrate and hexosamine occurred in similar proportions (8 to 24% AFDM). Lipid was a significant proportion of the AFDM in only the smallest individuals. Lipid concentrations decreased initially as mass increased in individuals smaller than similar to 0.4 g WM (90 mm TL), indicating a low rate of lipid deposition in small individuals. In specimens > 90 mm TL, lipid concentrations were uniform and had a mean of 12% AFDM. Trends for biochemical components and nucleic acids suggest that growth of Phase I leptocephali occurs in two subphases (Ia and Ib). Phase Ia is characterized by cellular proliferation, preferential synthesis of protein and carbohydrate relative to lipid, and growth manifested more as increased length rather than increased mass. For A. balearicum, Phase Ia extends from yolk-sac absorption to similar to 90 mm TL. In Phase Ib, nucleic acid content levels off, lipid deposition increases, an mass increases exponentially. |
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