Digestive Physiology of Three Species of Decapoda Crustaceans of Argentina

FERNÁNDEZ GIMENEZ, ANALIA VERÓNICA

JOURNAL OF SHELLFISH RESEARCH

NATL SHELLFISHERIES ASSOC

Lugar: Groton; Año: 2013 vol. 32 p. 1 - 11

0730-8000

This paper reviews the available information about the digestive physiology and morphology of three decapod species from Argentina: Pleoticus muelleri, Artemesia longinaris and Neohelice granulata. The anatomy of the foregut may be modified in closely related to species with similar feeding habits; however, the main features of decapod crustacean digestive tract are similar to other species. Crustaceans express a set of highly active digestive enzymes which hydrolyze the major food items and include proteinases, lipases, esterases and glucanases. The close relationship between diet and the range of digestive enzymes produced is well documented; however digestive responses to specific nutrients differ widely among the species. Variations in digestive enzyme expression in the early development reflect changes in the digestive capabilities and can be used to identify early developmental feeding transitions. This information provides a deeper insight into nutrition, dietary preferences and strategies of resource utilization making possible the development of new aquaculture practices and giving data concerning to the ecological niche that species occupy in aquatic systems. There is no doubt that the occurrence and activity of digestive enzymes are influenced by many internal and external factors, such as diet, molting and development. The research of three Argentine decapod species is discussed in the present review which is relevant for a better understanding of basic digestive physiology. The mentioned information in this paper is important for investigations of nutrition and feeding ecology of crustaceans.