New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Oxygen consumption and enzyme activity of the subtidal flat oyster (Ostrea
chilensis) and intertidal Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas): responses
to temperature and starvation
Brendon J. Dunphy
Rufus M. G. Wells
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, New Zealand
email: r.wells@auckland.ac.nz
Andrew G. Jeffs
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited
P.O. Box 109 695
Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract Intertidal Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas)
and subtidal flat oysters (Ostrea chilensis) were held at 10, 15, or
20°C
without food for 16 weeks. Rates of oxygen consumption in the subtidal oyster
were more sensitive to temperature than those of the intertidal oyster, but temperature
sensitivity decreased in starved Pacific oysters. Metabolic fuel reserves of
glycogen in the adductor muscle were markedly higher in C. gigas, and
decreased with starvation. Higher activities of the key metabolic enzymes,
strombine dehydrogenase, alanopine dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase were
found in C.
gigas than in O. chilensis, indicating greater scope for energy
production. These observations were consistent with the greater aerobic scope
and glycolytic potential of C. gigas in the thermally variable intertidal
environment, and in the face of severe nutritional challenge. Ostrea chilensis was
metabolically challenged by warm temperatures and food deprivation, factors
that need to be considered in the development of aquaculture methods for
this species.
Keywords oyster; respiration; enzyme activity; temperature; nutrition
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2006, Vol. 40:
149–158
0028–8330/06/4001–0149 © The Royal Society
of New Zealand 2006
M05034; Online publication date 9 February 2006Received 9 June 2005;
accepted 15 September 2005
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