Wu, X.G., Zeng, C.S., and Southgate, P.C. (2014) Ontogenetic patterns of growth and lipid composition changes of blue swimmer crab larvae: insights into larval biology and lipid nutrition. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65 (3). pp. 228-243.

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Abstract

Blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, is a commercially important crab throughout the Indo-Pacific region, which plays an important role in the food chains of coastal ecosystems. Very limited information is available on larval biology and lipid nutrition of this species. This study investigated survival, growth and ontogenetic changes in lipid composition of P. pelagicus larvae under laboratory conditions. Larvae were fed rotifers (zoea-I), rotifers and Artemia (zoea-II), and enriched Artemia (zoea-III - megalopa), consecutively. Among five larval stages of P. pelagicus, zoea-I and -II had the shortest durations (2.2-2.3 days) while megalopa had the longest duration (4.7 days). As larvae developed, their wet weight, dry weight and carapace length increased exponentially. Lower mortality occurred during zoea-II (12.5%) and âIII (14.3%). Generally, larval fatty acid composition can reflect that of their diets. However, increases in mono-unsaturated fatty acids, 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 in megalopa and the first crab compared to zoea-IV might suggest later larvae were still deficient in essential fatty acids, but 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 were preferentially accumulated. Therefore, measures of ontogenetic patterns of growth and lipid composition will provide valuable insights for better understanding of larval biology and lipid nutrition of P. pelagicus.

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