Abstract
There are few available data on the biochemical composition of warm-water zooplankton in general, and chaetognaths in particular. Unlike populations from higher latitudes, many species probably breed to some extent throughout the year, with life cycles measured in weeks rather than months or years. Analysis of protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash in the chaetognath Sagitta hispida Conant over 1 year showed that, although protein is always the largest component, averaging 53% of the dry weight, it fluctuates widely. The non-protein fraction of the total nitrogen also fluctuates and averages over a third of the total. Experimentally fed and starved animals showed no such protein variability, which was ascribed, there-fore, to changes in environmental parameters other than food availability (e.g. salinity). Starved animals used up body protein, and the O:N ratio in freshly-caught animals also indicated a protein-based metabolism. Periods of starvation of at least 1/4 the length of its life cycle could be tolerated. S. hispida may be added to the list of a variety of planktonic groups over a range of latitudes and feeding habits, which appear to utilize protein as a normal energy source and reserve material.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Beers, J. R.: Ammonia and inorganic phosphorus exoretion by the planktonic chaetognath, Sagitta hispida Conant. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 29, 123–129 (1964).
Conover, R. J. and E. D. S. Corner: Respiration and nitrogen exeretion by some marine zooplankton in relation to their life cycles. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 48, 49–75 (1968).
Corner, E. D. S. and C. B. Cowey: Some nitrogenous constituents of the plankton. Oceanogr. mar. Biol. A. Rev. 2, 147–167 (1964).
— and C. B. Cowey: Biochemical studies on the production of marine zooplankton. Biol. Rev. 43, 393–426 (1968).
— and B. S. Newell: On the nutrition and metabolism of zooplankton. IV. The forms of nitrogen excreted by Calanus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 47, 113–120 (1967).
Cowey, C. B. and E. D. S. Corner: Amino acids and some other nitrogenous compounds in Calanus finmarchicus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 43, 485–493 (1963a).
— and E. D. S. Corner: On the nutrition and metabolism of zooplankton. II. The relationship between the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus and particulate material in Plymouth sea water, in terms of amino acid composition. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 43, 495–511 (1963b).
Dubois, M., K. A. Gills, J. K. Hamilton, P. A. Rebers and F. Smith: Colorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances. Analyt. Chem. 28, 350–356 (1956).
Harris, E.: The nitrogen cycle in Long Island Sound. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 17, 31–65 (1959).
Holm-Hansen, O.: Determination of particulate organic nitrogen, Limnol. Oceanogr. 13, 175–178 (1968).
Hyman, L. H.: The occurrence of chitin in lophophorate phyla. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 114, 106–112 (1958).
Jawed, M.: Body nitrogen and nitrogenous excretion in Neomysis rayii Murdoch and Euphausia pacifica Hansen. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 748–754 (1969).
Linford, E.: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. II. Variations in the lipid content of some Mysidacea. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 30, 16–27 (1965).
Littlepage, J. L.: Seasonal variation in lipid content of two antarctic marine crustacea. In: Biologie antarctique, pp 463–470. Ed. by R. Carrick, M. Holdgate and J. Prévost. Paris: Hermann 1964.
Lowry, O. H., N. J. Rosebrough, A. L. Farr and J. Randall: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J. biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951).
Mauchline, J. and L. R. Fisher: The biology of euphausiids. Adv. mar. Biol. 7, 1–454 (1969).
Nakai, Z.: The chemical composition, volume, weight, and size of the important marine plankton. Spec. Publs Tokai Fish. Res. Lab. 5, 12–24 (1955).
Newell, B. S.: The determination of ammonia in sea water. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 47, 271–280 (1967).
Raymont, J. E. G., J. Austin and E. Linford: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. I. The biochemical composition of Neomysis integer. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 28, 354–363 (1964).
—, J. Austin and E. Linford: Biochemical studies of marine zooplankton. III. Seasonal variations in the biochemical composition of Neomysis integer. In: Some contemporary studies in marine science, pp 597–605. Ed. by H. Barnes. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. 1966.
—, J. Austin and E. Linford: The biochemical composition of certain oceanic zooplanktonic decapods. Deep Sea Res. 14, 113–115 (1967).
—, J. Austin and E. Linford: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. V. The composition of the major biochemical fractions in Neomysis integer. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 48, 735–760 (1968).
—, R. T. Srinivasagam and J. K. B. Raymont: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. IV. Investigation on Megancytiphanes norvegica (M. Sars). Deep Sea Res. 16, 141–156 (1969a).
—, R. T. Srinivasagam and J. K. B. Raymont: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. VII. Observations on certain deep sea zooplankton. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 54, 357–365 (1969b).
Reeve, M. R.: Observations on the biology of a chaetognath. In: Some contemporary studies in marine science, pp 613–630. Ed. by H. Barnes. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. 1966.
—: The biology of chaetognatha. I. Quantitative aspects of growth and egg production in Sagitta hispida. In: Marine food chains, pp 168–189. Ed. by J. H. Steele. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd 1970.
Reeve, M. R.: Chaetognath culture: First records of a complete cycle of development of a pelatic form. Nature, Lond. (In press).
Sheard, K.: Taxonomy, distribution and development of the Euphausiacea (Crustacea). Rep. B.A.N.Z. antarct. Res. Exped. (Ser. B) 8, 1–72 (1953).
Webb, K. L. and R. E. Johannes: Do marine crustaceans release dissolved amino acids? Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 29, 875–878 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by G. L. Voss, Miami
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reeve, M.R., Raymont, J.E.G. & Raymont, J.K.B. Seasonal biochemical composition and energy sources of Sagitta hispida . Marine Biology 6, 357–364 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353669
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353669