Abstract
We analyzed the gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices, reproductive condition and biochemical composition of the digestive gland, gonads and claw muscle of the Patagonian stone crab over a one-year period. In females, the maximum HSI occurred in spring (gonad recovery period) and summer (maximum maturity period). The maximum female GSI values were found in summer, and fell to minimum values in fall and winter. In males, the highest GSI was observed during winter, which coincided with a non-mating period. The claw muscle biochemical composition did not significantly differ between seasons for either sex, except for the significantly lower glycogen content observed in winter relative to fall and summer in males. For both sexes, the claw muscle contained 72.4 to 81.2% moisture, 12.3 to 19.8% protein, 0.3 to 1.0% fat, 1.1 to 2.7% ash and 0.1 to 1.4% glycogen. In both sexes, the digestive gland was the main storage site for lipids. In the ovary, lipid and protein contents were higher in spring and summer, and decreased to significantly lower values after spawning. Moisture showed the opposite pattern and neither glycogen nor ash contents showed significant differences between seasons. The biochemical composition of the testes-vasa deferentia complex did not show significant seasonal fluctuations, except for higher moisture content in fall compared to summer and spring.
Highlights
Seafood products are currently in high demand as they are considered healthy and nutritional (Leu et al, 1981; Connor and Lin, 1982; King et al, 1990; Skonberg and Perkins, 2002)
The objective of the present work is to describe the seasonal fluctuations of the biochemical composition of the gonads, digestive gland and claw muscle of P. patagonicus, and relate them to the physiological condition of the gonads throughout the reproductive cycle
The biochemical composition of P. patagonicus showed different patterns of seasonal variation depending on the organ/tissue, sex and component analyzed (Fig. 2)
Summary
Seafood products are currently in high demand as they are considered healthy and nutritional (Leu et al, 1981; Connor and Lin, 1982; King et al, 1990; Skonberg and Perkins, 2002). Marine brachyurans (true crabs) represent one tenth of this total (1.38 million t in 2006) (FAO, 2008). Milne-Edwards are still poorly targeted in some regions (Baltz and Horst, 1992; Chauvet and Kadiri-Jan, 1999). This species has been virtually unexploited to date despite its wide latitudinal (29° to 47°S along the Atlantic coast of South America) (Nakamura et al, 1986; Melo, 1990; Boschi et al, 1992) and bathymetric (0 to 155 m depth) (Nakamura et al, 1986) distribution and its large size (up to 146 mm in carapace width and almost 1 kg in total fresh weight). Very little is known about the species’ biology (Carsen et al, 1996; Leal et al, 2008) and no information is available on its biochemical composition
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