Zur chemischen Zusammensetzung der CtenophorePleurobrachia pileus in der Kieler Bucht

Abstract

The chemical composition of the ctenophorePleurobrachia pileus was investigated in March, May and July 1981 in Kiel Bight, western Baltic. The results of all determinations yielded low values compared with other zooplankton groups. Dry weight made up 1.95 to 2.28% wet weight with a minimum occurring in may. Ash-free dry weight amounted to 28–37% of the dry weight but exhibited a maximum in May. Carbon and nitrogen analyses yielded amounts of between 2.6–4.7% of the dry weight and 0.5–1.0% of the dry weight, respectively. Both elements reached lowest levels in May. Proteins reached a minimum in May, too, and values ranged between 2.5 and 5.1% of the dry weight. However, lipids as well as carbohydrates exhibited highest values in May and ranged from 0.8 to 1.6% and 0.8–1.1% of the dry weight, respectively. The C∶N values increased between March and July from 3.7∶1 to 6.7∶1, indicating a decline in protein content. To relate the biochemical compounds to organic matter I used three different approaches: (1) On the basis of ashfree dry weight, carbohydrates remained constant whereas lipids increased from March to July. A minimum of proteins occurred in May. The three compounds made up only 14–22% of ash-free dry weight. (2) Organic matter approximately equals organic carbon content multiplied by 2. Proteins, lipids and carbohydrates summed up reached 61–100% of this reference value and the seasonal course of these compounds changed in a drastic way: proteins decreased, whereas lipids as well as carbohydrates showed a relative maximum in May. (3) Finally, the carbon content of each biochemical compound was calculated in relation to total carbon content measured via C/N analysis. On this basis, 63–105% of total carbon were recovered, and the course of seasonal changes agreed with that of the second approach. A comparison of these three approaches suggests that comparative calculations based on carbon measurements are more valid than those based on ash-free dry weight. The results show that seasonal changes in the amount of organic matter and the biochemical composition occurred. Dry weight was lowest in May, which could be due to the low salinity environment recorded at that time and the corresponding low salt content of the tissue. The observed relative maxima of lipids and carbohydrates in May may be explained by good food conditions since high zooplankton densities are characteristic for this month in Kiel Bight.