Ontogenetic changes in energetic reserves, digestive enzymes, amino acid and energy content of Lithodes santolla (Anomura: Lithodidae): Baseline for culture

Juvenile
crabs (27.75±2.16 mm carapace length, CL) and pre-adult crabs (62.10±1.61 mm
CL) of L. santolla in intermolt stage, were collected by scuba diving at depths of 6-12 m
from the subtidal zone of the Golondrina Bay (54º 50´S 68º 21´W) in the Beagle
Channel, Ushuaia. Adult crabs (106.78±4.51 mm CL) were captured in Punta Oriental (54º 50´S 68º 15´W), Beagle Channel
using baited commercial traps. The crabs were transported to the aquarium
facilities of the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC),
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, and kept in individual plastic containers with a
chilled seawater recirculation system at 6-8 ºC and a photoperiod cycle of 10 h
light:14 h dark. Water quality was maintained using mechanical and biological
filters, and a UV-sterilizer. Under this condition, the crabs were maintained
for 48 h until dissection.

Glycogen was determined following Lo et al 1970. Lipids was determined according
to Folch et al 1957. Total soluble protein was
determined following to Bradford
1976. Glucose and L-Lactate were
evaluated according to Ridgway et al 2006. Proteinase activity was determined following
García-Carreño 1992. Lipase activity was determined according to Versaw et al 1989. Amino acids
identification and quantification were evaluated using a high-performance
liquid chromatographer (HPLC). The caloric content was obtained following Lucas 1996 and Boy et al 2009.