Abstract
This is the first study in an aquatic ectotherm to combine a stoichiometric bioenergetic approach with an endpoint stochastic model to explore dietary macronutrient content. The combination of measuring respiratory gas (O(2) and CO(2)) exchange, nitrogenous (ammonia and urea) excretion, specific dynamic action (SDA), metabolic energy substrate use, and whole-body protein synthesis in spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, was examined in relation to dietary protein. Three isoenergetic feeds were formulated with varying crude protein: 40%, 50% and 60%, corresponding to CP(40), CP(50) and CP(60) treatments, respectively. Total CO(2) and ammonia excretion, SDA magnitude and coefficient, and protein synthesis in the CP(60) treatment were higher compared to the CP(40) treatment. These differences demonstrate dietary protein influences post-prandial energy metabolism. Metabolic use of each major energy substrate varied at different post-prandial times, indicating suitable amounts of high-quality protein with major non-protein energy-yielding nutrients, lipid and carbohydrate, are critical for lobsters. The average contribution of protein oxidation was lowest in the CP(50) treatment, suggesting mechanisms underlying the most efficient retention of dietary protein and suitable dietary inclusion. This study advances understanding of how deficient and surplus dietary protein affects energy metabolism and provides approaches for fine-scale feed evaluation to support sustainable aquaculture.