Open AccessA RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE LOBSTER ( Homarus americanus ) ALIMENTARY CANAL
Author(s) -
Bayer Robert C.,
Gallagher Margie Lee,
Leavitt Dale F.,
Rittenburg James H.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
proceedings of the world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0748-3260
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1979.tb00053.x
Subject(s) - homarus , stomach , barium sulfate , midgut , small intestine , peristalsis , anatomy , cecum , biology , barium meal , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , crustacean , fishery , ecology , organic chemistry , larva
Adult lobsters ( Homarus americanus ) were administered barium sulfate orally and examined by fluoroscopy and conventional X‐ray techniques. Barium sulfate was observed outlining the cardiac and pyloric stomach intestine and cecum. Barium sulfate, which has a particle size of one micron, was rarely observed within the midgut gland. This probably indicated that the pyloric stomach functions as a particle filter allowing small digesta particles and solubles to move into the tubules for absorption to occur. When barium was observed in the midgut gland it was probably the result of prolonged micropulverizing of the ingesta by the gastric mill to a size that is filterable by the stomach. The stomach was observed releasing ingesta into the small intestine in pulses. Peristaltic movement was observed in the small intestine. The small particle size of one micron which would not pass into the tubules supplies evidence that particle size may be an important factor in diets that are designed for efficient utilization.