THE IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF FLUORESCENT AGE-PIGMENT ABUNDANCE IN THE BRAIN OF A CRUSTACEAN (NEPHROPS-NORVEGICUS) BY CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY

Fluorescent age-pigments were identified in fresh brains of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) using confocal microscopy. The distribu tion of the pigment within the brain of N. norvegicus follows very clo sely the pattern previously described for other decapod crustaceans. M easurement of the abundance of age-pigment using image analysis techni ques gave consistent results when levels in fresh and preserved brain material from the same individual were compared. Differential growth r ates between male and female specimens were reflected in differing con centrations of age-pigments in their brains. The much increased speed of preparation and analysis of fresh material, together with the great ly decreased risk of artifactual fluorescence, indicates that confocal microscopy could be a valuable tool in future age-pigment studies.