ISSN:
1432-136X
Keywords:
Nutritional homeostasis
;
Haemolymph amino acid
;
Haemolymph sugar
;
Unbalanced diets
;
Locust
;
Locusta migratoria
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Aspects of pre- and post-ingestive compensation were investigated in locusts (Locusta migratoria) fed nutritionally unbalanced artificial diets containing 7% protein and 21% digestible carbohydrate (7:21) or 21% protein and 7% digestible carbohydrate (21:7). Feeding behaviour and haemolymph levels of amino acids and sugars were measured in locusts fed ad libitum on these diets. Locusts fed the high-protein diet had chronically elevated haemolymph levels of 15 out of 19 amino acids measured compared to locusts fed the low protein diet. However, haemolymph levels of lysine, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid did not differ between diets, suggesting some specific regulatory mechanism for these amino acids. Haemolymph glucose and trehalose reflected levels of carbohydrate in the diets, being high in insects fed diet 7:21 relative to those given diet 21:7. These data are discussed in relation to the physiological and behavioural bases of nutritional homeostasis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00263986
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