Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elemental composition (C, N, H) and energy in the development of Pagurus bernhardus (Decapoda: Pagurida) megalopa

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

No differences in development time and mortality were detected between starved and fed laboratory raised megalopa of Pagurus bernhardus. The average time of development in 138 megalopa was determined as 7.3±0.1 (95% CI) days. During megalopa development P. bernhardus loses about 7% in dry weight (DW), 17% in carbon (C), 6% in nitrogen (N) and 17% in hydrogen (H). During development C/N ratio and individual energy content descend about 14 and 22% respectively. Weight specific energy content decreases by 17% in the first 3 d and remains constant at 12.3±0.3 (95% CI) J·(mg DW)-1 thereafter. About another 25% in individual energy content was lost by molting to crabs. The measured compounds do not follow a steady decrease. The possibility is discussed that a period of low energy cost (about the first half of development) alternates with times of higher energy expenditure mainly based on lipids. A fixed physiological program different from starvation capability is indicated for P. bernhardus megalopae. By comparing megalopae hatched in two different seasons and years reference is given to the variability in growth pattern.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Anger, K. and K. K. C. Nair: Laboratory experiments on the larval development of Hyas araneus (Decapoda, Majidae). Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 32, 36–54 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Anger, K. and R. R. Dawirs: Influence of starvation on larval development of Hyas araneus (Decapoda, Majidae). Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 34, 287–311 (1981a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Anger, K. and R. R. Dawirs: Elemental composition (C,H,N) and energy in growing and starving larvae of Hyas araneus (Decapoda, Majidae). In preparation (1981b)

  • Beers, J. R.: Studies on the chemical composition of the major zooplankton groups in the Sargasso Sea off Bermuda. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11, 520–528 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bookhout, C. G.: Salinity effects on the larval development of Pagurus bernhardus (L.) reared in the laboratory. Ophelia 1 (2), 275–294 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bookhout, C. G.: Larval development of the hermit crab Pagurus alatus reared in the laboratory. Crustaceana 22, 215–238 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, S. (Ed.): Bioenergetics and growth. 1023 pp. New York: Rheingold 1945

    Google Scholar 

  • Childress, J. J. and M. Nygaard: Chemical composition and buoyancy of midwater crustaceans as function of depth of occurrence off southern California. Mar. Biol. 27, 225–238 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutter, R. I. and G. H. Theilacker: Ecological efficiency of a pelagic mysid shrimp: estimates from growth, energy budget, mortality studies. Fish. Bull. U.S. 69, 93–115 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coffin, H. G.: The laboratory culture of Pagurus samuelis (Stimpson) (Crustacea, Decapoda). Walla Walla College Publ. 22, 1–5 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Curl, H.: Analysis of carbon in marine plankton organisms. J. mar. Res. 20, 181–188 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawirs, R. R.: Elemental composition (C,N,H) in larval and crab 1 stages of Pagurus bernhardus (Decapoda, Paguridae) and Carcinus maenas (Decapoda, Portunidae). Mar. Biol. 57, 17–23 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawirs, R. R.: Methodical aspects in rearing decapod larvae, Pagurus bernhardus (Decapoda, Paguridae) and Carcinus maenas (Decapoda, Portunidae). (In preparation)

  • Forss, C. A. and H. G. Coffin: The use of the brine shrimp nauplii, Artemia salina, as food for the laboratory culture of decapods. Walla Walla College Publ. 26, 1–17 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda, T.: Nutritional ecology of marine zooplankton. Mem. Fac. Fish. Hokkaido Univ. 22, 1–97 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H. C.: Eupagurus. Mem. Liverpool Mar. Biol. Comm. 21(1-8), 1–79 (1913)

    Google Scholar 

  • Logan, D. T. and C. E. Epifanio: A laboratory energy balance for the larvae and juveniles of the American lobster Homarus americanus. Mar. Biol. 47, 381–389 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayzaud, P.: Respiration and nitrogen excretion of zooplankton. II. Studies of the metabolic characteristics of starved animals. Mar. Biol. 21, 19–28 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayzaud, P.: Respiration and nitrogen excretion of zooplankton. IV. The influence of starvation on the metabolism and the biochemical composition of some species Mar. Biol. 37, 47–58 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mootz, C. A. and C. E. Epifanio: An energy budget for Menippe mercenaria larvae fed Artemia nauplii. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 146, 44–55 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyblade, C.: Larval development of Pagurus annulipes (Stimpson 1862) and Pagurus pollicaris (Say 1817) reared in the laboratory. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 139, 557–573 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Omori, M.: Weight and chemical composition of some important oceanic zooplankton in the North Pacific Ocean. Mar. Biol. 3, 4–10 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Omori, M.: Growth, feeding and mortality of larval and early postlarval stages of the oceanic shrimp Sergestes similis. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24(2), 273–288 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandia, T. J. and K-H. Schumann: Chemical composition and caloric content of egg and zoea of the hermit crab Eupagurus bernhardus. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 16(3), 225–230 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Quetin, L. B., R. M. Ross and K. Uchio: Metabolic characteristics of midwater zooplankton: ammonia excretion, O:N ratios and the effect of starvation. Mar. Biol. 59, 201–209 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, M. H.: Larval development of Pagurus longicarpus Say reared in the laboratory, I. Descriptions of larval instars. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole, 139, 188–202 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, M. H.: Larval development of Pagurus longicarpus Say reared in the laboratory, II. Effects of reduced salinity on larval development. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 140, 104–116 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, M. H.: Larval development of Pagurus longicarpus Say reared in the laboratory. V. Effect of diet on survival and molting. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 146, 67–77 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Salonen, K., J. Sarvala, I. Hakala and M-L. Viljanen: The relation of energy and organic carbon in aquatic invertebrates. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21(5), 724–730 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, M. T.: The metamorphosis of the hermit crab. Proc. Boston Soc. nat. Hist. 31, 147–209 (1903)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinogradov, A. P. (Ed.): The elementary chemical composition of marine organisms. 647 pp. Yale Univ., New Haven: Sears Found. for mar. Res. 1953

    Google Scholar 

  • Vlymen, W. J.: Energy expenditure of swimming copepods. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15, 348–356 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Meeresstation, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, D-2192, Helgoland, Germany

    R. R. Dawirs

Authors
  1. R. R. Dawirs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dawirs, R.R. Elemental composition (C, N, H) and energy in the development of Pagurus bernhardus (Decapoda: Pagurida) megalopa. Mar. Biol. 64, 117–123 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397100

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397100

Keywords

Search

Navigation