We examined potential fertility, egg volume, and water, lipid, and fatty acid content through embryogenesis in a population of female U. rapax from Sebastian Inlet, Florida. Carapace width (CW) ranged from 10.80 to 20.09 mm (N = 184), and each female carried 5000 to 30,000 eggs in the last stage of development. Female CW was found to be a good predictor of the number of eggs in the later stage of development (potential fertility = 7.908 CW2.7655, R2 = 0.749). Egg volume increases (from 0.0079 to 0.0134 mm3) was mildly correlated (r = 0.79) with an increase in egg water content (from 60 to 69%). Egg lipid and fatty acid content decreased through embryogenesis, due to its importance as energy source. The most consumed fatty acids were the monounsaturated (97.81 μg . mg dw−1) followed by the saturated (64.34 μg · mg dw−1) and polyunsaturated (38.69 μg · mg dw−1). Fatty acids 16:0, 18:2n-6, 16:1n-7, and 18:2n-6 are consumed preferentially (39.91, 38.45, 29.4 and 23.93 μg · mg dw−1, respectively), while essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), are conserved. Egg fatty acid profile also reflects diet and habitat of adults. A medium-low EPA/DHA ratio suggests U. rapax occupies a medium trophic level. The low ratio (18:1n-7/18:1n-9) and high percentages of 18:1n-9 fatty acid (18%) and essential C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (19-23%) suggests adults are omnivores consuming primary producers (like algae and mangrove leaves) and small invertebrates. The high percentage of odd-numbered fatty acids (above 3-3.5%) also suggests scavenger/detritivore behaviour.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 August 2008
Potential Fertility and Egg Development (Volume, Water, Lipid, and Fatty Acid Content) Through Embryogenesis of Uca rapax (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae)
Joana Figueiredo,
Gil Penha-Lopes,
Justin Anto,
Luís Narciso,
Junda Lin
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Journal of Crustacean Biology
Vol. 28 • No. 3
August 2008
Vol. 28 • No. 3
August 2008
Brachyura
crabs
development
ecology
Fatty acids
reproduction
Uca