CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF THE INTEGUMENTAL REFLECTING PLATELETS IN THE IRIDESCENT COPEPODS OF THE FAMILY SAPPHIRINIDAE (POECILOSTOMATOIDA)

Purine bases are known as a major component of reflecting layers in aq uatic animals. Guanine, xanthine, and hypoxanthine levels in 1 species of Copilia and 5 species of Sapphirina were measured by using HPLC to test for the presence of purine bases in the integument. Intact speci mens of male S. nigromaculata showed a high peak corresponding to guan ine, while those of females showed only a small guanine peak. The guan ine peaks were conspicuous in all males of the species tested, but oth er purines were not. It is concluded that guanine is the major compone nt of the reflecting platelets contributing to the iridescence of male sapphirinids.