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Metabolic enzyme activities in shallow- and deep-water chondrichthyans: implications for metabolic and locomotor capacity

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Abstract

Biochemical indices of white (WM) and red muscle (RM) aerobic and anaerobic metabolic capacity were measured in 14 species of benthic and benthopelagic chondrichthyans from a depth of ~90 to 2,200 m to evaluate the relationship between metabolic capacity and depth of occurrence, phylogeny, and locomotor mode. Maximal activities of the enzymes citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and pyruvate kinase (PK) were analyzed in muscle tissue at 10 °C. These were combined with previously published elasmobranch data in order to represent a comprehensive range of depths, phylogeny, and locomotor modes (i.e., benthic, benthopelagic, pelagic). Significant decreases in WM PK and LDH activities and a lack of significant trends in RM enzyme activities with increasing median depth of occurrence (MDO) indicate a depth-related reduction in both burst-locomotor and metabolic capacity. These trends are consistent with the “visual-interactions hypothesis.” Phylogeny and locomotor mode had little influence on enzyme activities compared to MDO, and the present study suggests similar activities in co-occurring demersal sharks and rays. Overall, the present study indicates low metabolic capacities in deep-sea chondrichthyans, which is important to consider when managing deep-sea fisheries.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank reviewers for their thorough comments and input. Specimen collection would not have been possible without the effort of many volunteers: Shaara Ainsley, Mariah Boyle, Donna Kline, Carrie Laxson, Jackie Lighten, Katie Schmidt, Paul Yancey, and John Yeh. A special thanks goes to Dave Ebert and Mariah Boyle for their assistance with species identification at sea. In addition to her support in the field, Michelle Kay provided educational outreach through her website http://deepblusea2009.blogspot.com/. The staff and scientists at the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center provided additional sampling support. We appreciate the time and effort of Mark Bradburn and John Buchanan, as well as the captain and crew of the RV Pt Sur and RV Ms Julie, for their excellent shipboard support. Many thanks also go to undergraduate Erica Aus for assistance with laboratory work. This research was conducted in accordance with University of Hawaii Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee protocols. NSF provided funding for this work through a grant to Jeffrey Drazen (OCE 0727135).

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  1. Department of Oceanography, University of Hawai’i, 1000 Pope Rd., Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Nicole E. Condon, Jason R. Friedman & Jeffrey C. Drazen

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  1. Nicole E. Condon
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  2. Jason R. Friedman
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Correspondence to Nicole E. Condon.

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Communicated by K. D. Clements.

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Condon, N.E., Friedman, J.R. & Drazen, J.C. Metabolic enzyme activities in shallow- and deep-water chondrichthyans: implications for metabolic and locomotor capacity. Mar Biol 159, 1713–1731 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1960-3

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