Journal
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Volume 151, Issue 1, Pages 79-87Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2008.05.013
Keywords
echinodermata; holothuroidea; ophiuroidea; deep-sea; trophic biology; lipid composition; sterols; fatty acid biomarkers
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Funding
- School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii
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The lipid, fatty acid (FA), and sterol composition of two ophiuroids and four holothurians from the abyssal eastern North Pacific were analysed to assess their feeding habits and to ascertain their composition for use in a larger study to examine food web dynamics and trophic ecology. Holothurians were rich in phytosterols and algal derived FA such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic suggesting tight trophic coupling to phytodetritus. Large proportions of stanols were found, probably a result of enteric bacteria but they may come from sterol metabolism in the holothurians themselves. Oneirophanta mutabilis was distinct with much higher levels of stanols and bacterially derived FA suggesting specific selection of bacteria rich detrital particles or the activity of enteric and integumental bacteria. The ophiuroids sterol and FA compositions differed greatly from the holothurians and reflected consumption of animal material in addition to phytodetritus. Large proportions of energy storage lipids suggested a sporadic food supply. Several unusual fatty acids were found in these abyssal echinoderms. Tetracosahexaenoic acid, 24:6 omega 3, in ophiuroids and 23:1 in holothurians may be good biomarkers for food web studies. We report the first occurrence of alpha OH 24:1 in holothurians with none detected in ophiuroids. Its function is presently unknown. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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