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Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition and oxygen consumption of the sea anemone Actinia equina as related to body size and shore level

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Abstract

Seasonal changes of respiratory metabolism and biochemical composition were studied in Actinia equina L. (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) collected in 1982 and 1983 from two shore locations in Spain. Changes of metabolic activity follow closely those of biochemical constituents, particularly carbohydrates and lipids, showing maxima in late fall and spring. Weight dependence, established according to the exponential equation y=a xb (x=weight), results in virtually isometric relationships for proteins, total lipids and sugars but not glycogen. Allometry for this last compound represents a reduction in glycogen level in connection with size decrease; this weight effect declines when glycogen levels rise, both in field and laboratory fed anemones, thus suggesting a stronger influence of food availability on storage in small anemones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias, Fisiologia Animal, Universidad del Pais Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain

    M. M. Ortega, J. M. Lopez de Pariza & E. Navarro

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  1. M. M. Ortega
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  2. J. M. Lopez de Pariza
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  3. E. Navarro
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Communicated by J. M. Shick, Orono

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Ortega, M.M., Lopez de Pariza, J.M. & Navarro, E. Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition and oxygen consumption of the sea anemone Actinia equina as related to body size and shore level. Mar. Biol. 97, 137–143 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391253

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