Fatty acids of the depot fats from the blue-banded sea snake (Laticauda colubrina) and its principal food the conger eel (Conger cinerus)

R. G. Ackman, E. J. MacPherson, R. K. O'Dor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. 1. Fats were recovered from individual male and female blue-banded sea snakes Laticauda colubrina and a favoured eel food of the female (Conger cinerus). 2. 2. The fatty acid composition of the depot fats of the two sexes were remarkably similar. Only two fatty acids (16:1n-7 and 20:4n-6) in the female reflected a specific dietary role for the eel fat. 3. 3. Overall the fatty acid composition was similar to that of some marine turtles, but proportions of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids resembled those of the terrestrial New Zealand tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). 4. 4. These details suggest a general basic fatty acid pattern for tropical and subtropical reptile fats, but linoleic (18:2n-6) and linolenic (18:3n-3) may be higher in the fats of terrestrial animals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)423-425
Number of pages3
JournalComparative Biochemistry and Physiology - B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volume98
Issue number2-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1991

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Aquatic Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Molecular Biology

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