Studies in the biochemistry of cirripede eggs. VIII. Changes in general biochemical composition during the development of Chthamalus stellatus (Poli) and Euraphia depressa (Poli)

Abstract: The biochemical changes during the development of fertilized eggs ofChthamlus stellatus (Poli) and ofEuraphia depressa (Poli) from the eastern Mediterranean were investigated. The egg volume increased by 20% in the former and by 35.8% in the latter. The dry-weight losses were 31.5 and 35.5%, respectively. Proteins and lipids contributed most of the energy used during development, the amount of carbohydrates was very low. Most of the energy was utilized at the final stage of the development. InChthamalus stellatus there was a loss of ≈38% and inEuraphia depressa a loss of 42%. The specific energy contents of the final stage of development were similar in both species. The high values of specific energy in these two warm-water species were related to the nutrient-poor water of the eastern Mediterranean. Major changes in DNA values were detected at the initial stages of the development.