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Metabolic responses of the squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon) larvae to low oxygen concentration

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Abstract

Squat lobster populations found in the Humboldt Current System over the continental shelf from ~28 to 37°S release pelagic larvae in sub-surface cold (~11 °C) hypoxic waters. Larvae subsequently spread throughout the water column encountering both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. We analyzed some short- and long-term responses of Pleuroncodes monodon larval metabolism to hypoxia at 11 °C. Routine and postprandial aerobic respiration rates were lower in hypoxia than in normoxia for all zoeal stages. Zoea V oxyconformed, while megalopae oxyregulated down to very low oxygen concentrations. Throughout zoea I development, the rate of nitrogen (protein) accumulation in zoea I was lower, and C:N ratios were higher under hypoxic conditions than in normoxia. Citrate synthase (CS) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) apparent specific activities (as indicators of aerobic and metabolic potentials, respectively) decreased and remained at the same level, respectively, throughout zoea I reared under hypoxic conditions. Anaerobic to aerobic potential (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)/CS) was higher in organisms reared under hypoxia, and MDH/LDH potential ratios were characteristic of organisms tolerant to hypoxia. In spite of P. monodon zoea endurance and metabolic adaptations to decreasing oxygen tensions, intense hypoxia as such of their release site would affect their overall condition especially toward the end of the molt cycle. Our results indicate the importance of considering the interaction between environmental oxygen variability and recruitment success.

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Acknowledgments

The Chilean ‘Instituto de Fomento Pesquero’ (IFOP) kindly provided ovigerous females to conduct the experiments. We are especially thankful to Bernardo Leiva and Francisco Gallardo. Fondecyt 1010900 provided partial funding for laboratory expenses. B. Yannicelli was supported by a doctoral scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Programm (DAAD) and a Mecesup UCO 0002 scholarship. B. Yannicelli is also indebted to the staff at the Marine Biology Station in Dichato, the LOPEL working group and the LECOFIC working group for their logistic and personal support. Dr. P. Gebauer was a special support during of experiments conducted in Puerto Montt. Dr. Renato Quiñones kindly provided laboratory facilities to conduct enzymatic assays. Ricardo De Pol from the PROFC laboratory at the University of Concepción conducted the CN analysis. We also acknowledge the comments and suggestions generously provided by Dr. Luis Giménez over the course of this research and 2 anonymous reviewers.

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  1. Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Aridas, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Campus Guayacán, Larrondo 1281, P.O. Box 117, Coquimbo, Chile

    B. Yannicelli

  2. Laboratorio de Oceanografía Pesquera y Ecología Larval (LOPEL), Departamento de Oceanografía, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

    B. Yannicelli & L. R. Castro

  3. Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla, 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile

    K. Paschke

  4. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Región de Los Lagos CIEN Austral, Casilla, 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile

    K. Paschke

  5. Unidad de Biotecnología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

    R. R. González

  6. Centro FONDAP COPAS Sur-Austral, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

    R. R. González

  7. Centro Oceanográfico del Pacífico Sudoccidental (COPAS), Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

    L. R. Castro

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  1. B. Yannicelli
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Yannicelli, B., Paschke, K., González, R.R. et al. Metabolic responses of the squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon) larvae to low oxygen concentration. Mar Biol 160, 961–976 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2147-7

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