Influence of Starvation and Subsequent Feeding on Body Composition and Energy Reserves in the Prawn Pandalus platyceros

Abstract

Biochemical composition of body segments and physiological condition of the spot prawn (Pandalus platyceros) were determined during 84 d of starvation and 21 d of subsequent feeding. Maximum molting frequency, 1.79%∙d−1, occurred from day 22 to 43 and mortalities peaked at 0.81%∙d−1 on resumption of feeding. Ratios of wet weight of hepatopancreas to abdomen or whole body decreased on starvation and increased on feeding, and so provided an index of physiological condition. Uptake of moisture and chlorides with loss of other halides in prawn tissue resulted from starvation. Resting oxygen consumption rate declined by 50% after 40 d of starvation. Lipid in the hepatopancreas increased during early inanition to become the major energy source. Lipid contributed 73.1%, protein 20.6%, and carbohydrate 6.3% of total metabolized reserves. Hepatopancreas, carcass, and abdominal muscle generated 49.1, 33.4, and 17.5% of energy utilized. On subsequent feeding, lipid, carbohydrate, and protein accounted for 73.8, 20.1, and 6.1% of total caloric uptake with energy assimilation by body sections similar to depletion values. Spot prawn have sufficient reserves to remain in good commercial condition for 40 d without food.