Effects of dietary carbohydrate on weight gain and gonad production in small sea urchins,Lytechinus variegatus |
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Authors: | AM Taylor LE Heflin ML Powell AL Lawrence SA Watts |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA;2. Texas AgriLIFE Mariculture Research Laboratory, Texas A&M University, Port Aransas, TX, USA |
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Abstract: | In experiment 1, juvenile sea urchins (n = 80, 0.088 ± 0.001 g wet weight and 5.72 ± 0.04 mm diameter) were held individually and fed ad libitum one of three semi‐purified formulated diets (n = 16 individuals treatment?1). In the diets, protein was held constant (310 g kg?1 dry, as fed) and carbohydrate level varied (190, 260, or 380 g kg?1 dry, as fed). Wet weights were measured every 2 weeks. Total wet weight gain was inversely proportional to dietary carbohydrate level and energy content of the respective diet. In experiment 2, sea urchins (5.60 ± 0.48 g wet weight, n = 40) fed 190 g kg?1 carbohydrate consumed significantly more dry feed than those fed 260 g kg?1, but not more than those fed 380 g kg?1 carbohydrate. Based on differential feed intake rates, sea urchins that consumed more feed also consumed higher levels of protein and had the highest weight gain. Consequently, protein content and/or protein: energy ratio may be important in determining feed utilization and growth among sea urchins in this study. The average digestible energy intake was approximately 70 kcal kg?1 body weight day?1, suggesting daily caloric intake of juvenile Lytechinus variegatus is lower than in shrimp and fish. |
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Keywords: | carbohydrate level growth
Lytechinus variegatus
nutrition production sea urchin |
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