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 <i>L. santolla</i> 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.