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- Title
The effects of dietary protein concentration on feeding and growth of smallLytechinus variegatus(Echinodermata: Echinoidea).
- Authors
Hammer, B.; Hammer, H.; Watts, S.; Desmond, R.; Lawrence, J.; Lawrence, A.
- Abstract
Understanding the nutritional requirements ofLytechinus variegatusis essential to define its role in the marine environment and necessary for successful culture of this species. Protein is an essential component for growth, yet the requirements for protein in most marine organisms are not known. SmallLytechinus variegatus(ca. 14 mm diameter,n=160) were collected at St. Joseph Bay, Florida in March 2000. They were held in aquaria and fed ad libitum one of four diets varying in protein concentration (9, 15, 21, or 33% dry weight) for 14 weeks. Diets =21% dry weight protein were sufficient for maximal growth and survivorship. Individuals fed a diet low in protein compensated by consuming higher quantities of food per gram wet weight. However, the protein was insufficient to support maximal growth and survivorship. Total dry matter absorption, protein absorption, and carbohydrate absorption of the prepared feeds were higher than reported for natural diets. Total production and production efficiency was lowest in those fed the low-protein diet. Gonad production occurred in individuals with test diameters smaller than reported previously in field populations and was lowest in those fed the low-protein diet. The acini of both females and males were predominantly composed of nutritive phagocytes, suggesting that growingL. variegatususe the gonad primarily as a nutrient storage organ and not for reproduction. In females the growth rate of oocytes increased with dietary protein. In males, protein concentration =21% resulted in an increase in the volume of germinal epithelium and a decrease in the volume of nutritive phagocytes. The minimal requirement for protein inL. variegatusfrom approximately 1 g to 15 g total weight is>15% dry weight for the conditions of this experiment. The requirement for a diet>15% protein corroborates with field studies that indicateL. variegatusconsumes epibionts and animal tissues preferentially to seagrass, and that the microbial, microfloral, and microfaunal community living on the seagrass may provide the extra protein required for growth and survival of smallL. variegatus.
- Subjects
LOW-protein diet; LYTECHINUS variegatus; ANIMAL feeding; ANIMAL nutrition; MARINE biology; AQUATIC biology
- Publication
Marine Biology, 2004, Vol 145, Issue 6, p1143
- ISSN
0025-3162
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00227-004-1391-x