Recent discussion that lipofuscin based ageing of crustaceans is
burdensome may not be correct entirely.  Marine chemist R. Harvey and his
student have developed a procedure for measuring extracted lipofuscin in
blue crabs using a rapid spectrophotometric assay.  We've calibrated
standardized-lipofuscin measures through the first 2 years of life.  The
technique is rapid and relatively inexpensive; we've been able to take
measures for moderately large sample sizes (n>500).

Ref:

Ju, S-J, D.H. Secor, and H.R. Harvey. 1999.  Use of extractable
lipofuscin for age determination of blue crab Callinectes sapidus.  Mar.
Ecol. Progr. Ser. 185: 171-179.

Regards,

David H. Secor, Ph.D.

Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, PO Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688
http://www.cbl.umces.edu/~secor/welcome.html

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
       To leave the Fish-Sci list, Send blank message to:
        mailto:[log in to unmask]
 For information send INFO FISH-SCI to [log in to unmask]
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>