Summary
The biochemical composition of developing Euphausia superba Dana embryos has been examined at three stages: fresh spawned, gastrula, and limb bud. Fresh spawn embryos had 31% lipid, 1.0% carbohydrate, and 57% protein on a gram dry weight basis. Throughout development lipids were utilized more slowly than in other crustacean embryos for a total utilization of 37.5%. Overall, 35.6% of the starting protein was utilized. On a weight basis, twice as much protein than lipid was used during development, and it appeared that, energetically, protein and lipid contributed equally to the energetics of the developing embryo. Carbohydrate was evidently a minor substrate in early development, although the level increased 38% during development. Average water content was 86% in fresh spawned embryos and 88% in the gastrula stage. The average dry weight of the embryos throughout development was 30 μg. The features of planktonic embryos are contrasted with demersal embryos and the atypical metabolic pattern of krill embryos is discussed.
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MOA dedicates this paper to the memory of Dr. Mary Alice McWhinnie, for her encouragement during my years at DePaul University and for the opportunity to participate in her research
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Amsler, M.O., George, R.Y. Changes in the biochemical composition of Euphausia superba Dana embryos during early development. Polar Biol 4, 61–63 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442901
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442901