CAROTENOIDS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES IN ORGANS OF THE MATURING FEMALE CRAYFISH CHERAX-QUADRICARINATUS

Carotenoids were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography f rom organ homogenates of pre-vitellogenic (oocyte diameter similar to 300 mu m) and late-vitellogenic (oocyte diameter >1mm) Cherax quadrica rinatus females. Carotenoids were present predominantly in the cuticle and in the late-vitellogenic ovary, Smaller amounts were present in t he hepatopancreas, and almost no carotenoids were found in the muscula r tissue, The cuticle contained mostly esterified astaxanthins. The ov aries contained mostly non-esterified astaxanthin, Pre-vitellogenic ov aries were also relatively rich in lutein, whereas late-vitellogenic o varies were relatively rich in beta-carotene. The hepatopancreas conta ined mostly beta-carotene. Possible roles for the different carotenoid s in the cuticle and ovary of the crayfish are discussed.