Chemical composition of sergestid shrimps (Decapoda: Natantia) collected near Bermuda

Chemical composition was determined for Sergestes corniculum, S. grandis, S. japonicus, S. robustus and S. splendens collected in December, April and September. Protein content expressed as percent of dry weight varied from 65.7% in S. splendens to 46.8% in S. japonicus. Significant differences were noted among species in Apria and September, with highest protein values in April in S. corniculum, s. robustus and S. splendens. Lipid content expressed as percent dry weight ranged from 12.6% in S. robustus to 8.3% in s. splendens. Differences in percent lipid among species were significant in December and September with highest values in s. robustus and lowest values in S. splendens. Carbohydrate content varied from 1.0% in S. grandis to 2.5% in S. splendens. Ash and chitin were only determined for S. corniculum, S. grandis and S. splendens. Although protein and lipid content were correlated with size of shrimp analyzed, protein and lipid values in S. splendens, a species known to occur near the surface only at night, appeared to be related to seasonal zooplankton abundance in near-surface waters. Differences in lipid and protein content among species suggest that higher lipid and lower protein content occurs in species with shorter ranges of diel vertical migration.