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Journal of Experimental Biology 36,575-582 (1959)
Published by Company of Biologists 1959

Pigmentation of an Ostracod, Heterocypris Incongruens

J. GREEN ¹

¹ Bedford College, University of London

1. Heterocypris incongruens contains at least three different types of pigment: carotenoids, a pteridine, and a bilin. Haemoglobin and other haem pigments appear to be lacking in this species.

2. Astaxanthin and -carotene are the only carotenoids found, even when the ostracod is feeding on algae containing abundant xanthophylls of various types.

3. A yellow pteridine, which rapidily decolorizes after extraction, is widespread in the body of the ostracod, but not in its eggs. It is suggested that this substance may play a part in the intermediate metabolism of the ostracod when in anaerobic conditions. Heterocypris can live and reproduce in anaerobic conditions for at least 2 weeks.

4. Biladiene pigments accumulate in the gut wall when the ostracod feeds on blue-green algae. These pigments can be made to disappear from the gut wall by restricting the diet to green algae, then made to reappear when a blue-green alga is given as food.