Digestive Characteristics of the Sea-Urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) Fed Prepared Feeds |
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| Authors: | Thomas S Klinger John M Lawrence Addison L Lawrence |
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| Institution: | Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Bloomburg University, Bloomburg, Pennsylvania 17815 USA;Department of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33580 USA;Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System, Port Aransas, Texas 78373 USA |
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| Abstract: | Lytechinus variegatus were fed two prepared feeds identical in composition except one contained only soybean protein and the other contained equal concentrations of fish and soybean protein. Feeding rate, defecation rate, passage time through the gut, apparent dry matter digestibility of protein and carbohydrate, and the production of gut tissue did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05) with feed type. Individuals about 50 mm in diameter and 60% wet body-weight consumed about 3-g wet weight of feed per day. Feeding rate decreased during the experiment, but defecation rate did not. The throughput rate was two days with considerable mixing of feed in the gut. Fecal production ceased two days after cessation of feeding. Only trace amounts of feed remained in the gut three days after feed was not available. The apparent dry matter digestibility was 62% for soluble protein and 35% for soluble carbohydrate for both feeds. The apparent dry matter digestibility of ash was 19% for the feed with soybean meal alone, and 11% for soybean and fish meal. The apparent dry matter digestibility calculated by the use of chromic oxide is greater than that calculated by the use of ash. |
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