Structural changes in the digestive glands of larval Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) during starvation

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Yoshida, T, Kawaguchi, S, Meyer, B, Virtue, P, Penschow, J, Nash, G
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2009
• Subjects: Biological Sciences; Zoology; Invertebrate Biology; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Euphausia superba; Polar Biology
• Online Access: http://www.springerlink.com; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0569-y; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/54901

The effects of starvation on ultrastructure ofdigestive gland cells were studied in furcilia larvae of Antarctickrill (Euphausia superba: hereafter krill). Under laboratoryconditions, larvae were starved for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20and 25 days, and their R-cells were investigated by transmissionelectron microscope. R-cells are thought to play arole in the storage and absorption of nutrients. In fed larvae,numerous mitochondria scattered homogenously, anddensely packed microvilli were observed on the apical surfaceof R-cells. After 5 days of starvation, mitochondriawere swollen and were found concentrated in the apicalregion in R-cells. A decrease in cell volume and an increasein thickness of the basal lamina with many irregular infoldingswere observed after 1015 days of starvation. Lipiddroplets were rarely found in the R-cells regardless ofwhether larvae had been fed or starved suggesting aninability to store lipid. Without the ability to store energy inthe form of lipid, survival would be dependant on sourcingcontinuous food until maturation.