The role of phytoplankton in the nutrition of the larvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DeMan) (Crustacea : Palaemonidae)

The possible role of phytoplankton in the nutrition of the larvae of the prawn M. rosenbergii was investigated in this study which is conducted in two parts. In the first section of Part I, the utilization of the yolk and its lipids in the egg and first two larval stages was examined. It was found that the yolk lipids in the egg undergoes very little change during egg development and that these lipids provide for 94% of the metabolic requirements of the first stage larvae. In section two of part one, the changes in the lipids and fatty acids in larvae reared in phytoplankton rich cultures and in clear water were examined to determine whether the phytoplankton had any effect on the composition of these lipids. As no overall significant differences were found in the lipid and fatty acid compositions of larvae reared in phytoplankton rich or clear water systems, it was concluded that phytoplankton had no significant effect on the composition of lipids in M. rosenbergii larvae. In part two of the study the uptake and fate of dissolve ¹⁴C-glycine was examined. The uptake of ¹⁴C-glucose and ¹⁴C-labelled algal exudate was also examined. It was found that a mechanism for the uptake of these dissolved organic substances does exist in the larvae. It was also shown, however, that the dissolved organic compounds are not of major importance as a source of energy in the nutrition of the larvae. The possible role of dissolved organic compounds is discussed. It was concluded that phytoplankton does not play an important role as an energy source for the larvae of M. rosenbergii.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1985

Author dc:creator

• De Boucherville Baissac, Pierre

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cook, Peter

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17606

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17606