Egg volume, energy content and fatty acid profile ofMaja brachydactyla(Crustacea: Brachyura: Majidae) during embryogenesis

Abstract

Fatty-acid and energy content of Maja brachydactyla eggs at different developmental stages (recently spawned, half-developed and ready to hatch) were analysed in order to understand what is being consumed and produced during the embryonic development. Egg volume increased during development (34%, 0.187 to 0.285 mm 3 , N ¼ 270) and was negatively correlated with egg energy and fatty-acid content (r ¼ 20.80 and r ¼ 20.46, respectively), which decreased through embryogenesis. The most consumed fatty acids were the PUFA (21.2 mg . mg dw 21 ), followed by the SFA (18.8 mg . mg dw 21 ) and MUFA (14.9 mg . mg dw 21 ). Palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3) acids were preferentially consumed (13.14, 9.21 and 8.67 mg . mg dw 21 , respectively). The fatty acid composition found in M. brachydactyla eggs reflected the habitat and omnivorous and detritivorous scanvenger diet of the adults, although the consumption of algae was more important than previously thought, at least in the area where these adults were captured. Pre-hatching eggs have a high PUFA content (64.5 mg . mg dw 21 or 46.3% of the egg fatty-acid content). We conclude that larvae of this species might need a diet rich in PUFA, particularly EPA and DHA, for successful development. From the culture perspective, live preys commonly used in aquaculture will likely require to be enriched with DHA.

Annual variation in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of Maja brachydactyla in captivity

“…As in the case of TG, n-3 PUFA have been cited to increase the chances for survival of lobster larvae (Wickins et al, 1995). According to Figueiredo and Narciso (2008), EPA plays a key role in the development of M. brachydactyla, being highly required during the embryogenesis. In the shrimp L. vannamei EPA has been found to be positively correlated with egg survival suggesting a specific role of EPA in certain PLs (Palacios et al, 2001).…”

“…Portugal, France, Ireland and UK). The high fishing pressure hold up by this crab (Freire et al, 2002), together with its adequate growth and reproductive characteristics (Alaminos and Domingues, 2008;Figueiredo and Narciso, 2008;González-Gurriarán et al, 1995;Guerao and Rotllant, 2009;Iglesias et al, 2002;Palma et al, 2008;Simeó et al, 2009) have contributed to define the species as potential for aquaculture. Seminal receptacles in the female play a key role in the reproductive behavior of spider crab as a storage place of sperm from one or more copulations by several males, allowing the subsequent fertilization of consecutive oocyte batches without carrying any new copulation (reviewed by González-Gurriarán et al, 1998).…”

Diet of whale sharks Rhincodon typus inferred from stomach content and signature fatty acid analyses

“…Of the prey groups in Fig. 4, tropical thraustochytrids (mean 25.5% TFA; Lee Chang et al 2011, Lee Chang et al 2012, suspended particulate matter (7.6% TFA; Cotonnec et al 2001, Allan et al 2010) and brachyuran eggs (6.9% TFA; Figueiredo & Narciso 2008, Torres et al 2008 were the only groups with higher concentrations of bacterial FA than whale sharks. While brachyuran larvae are part of the diet of at least some whale sharks (Meekan et al 2009), suspended particulate matter could be ingested by whale sharks in large quantities when filter-feeding.…”

The Consumption of DHA during Embryogenesis as an Indicative of the Need to Supply DHA during Early Larval Development: A Review

“…Maja brachydactyla [63] 25.29 [63] 4.97 [64] 18% survival (24 days), presence of aberrant forms, smaller juveniles [64] …”