Abstract
Four groups of bands showing esterase activity were found after electrophoretic separation of extracts of Balanus balanoides (L.) prosoma on polyacrylamide gels. Each group was distinguishable from other groups by mobility, reaction with specific substrates, and susceptibility to various inhibitors. Groups designated BbEII and BbEIII showed cholinesterase activity, BbEIV showed carboxylesterase activity, and BbEI possible arylesterase activity. Polymorphisms were found within Groups BbEIII and BbEI. The frequency distribution of BbEIV polymorphs in a sample from the Menai Straits, UK, fitted the Hardy-Weinberg predicted values for 4 co-dominant alleles. A sample from St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, however, did not fit the Hardy-Weinberg prediction. No variation between individuals was found when malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes were examined. Hence, these systems are unsuitable for testing racial differences. The results for the cholinesterase and arylesterase isozymes substantiate the view, originally based on differences in reproductive phenology and egg size, that genetically separate races exist on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Ackroyd, P.: Vertical flat bed gel electrophoresis. In: Chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques, Vol. 2. pp 458–474. Ed. by I. Smith. London: Heineman Medical Books Ltd. 1967
Allen, R.C., R.A. Popp and D.J. Moore: Separation and relative quantitation of mouse plasma esterases with disc electrophoresis. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 13, 249–254 (1965)
Augustinsson, R.B.: Multiple forms of esterase in vertebrate blood plasma. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 93, 844–860 (1961)
Barlow, J. and G.J. Ridgeway: Polymorphisms of esterase isozymes in the American lobster (Homarus americanus). J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 28, 15–21 (1971)
Barnes, H.: Regarding the southern limits of Balanus balanoides (L.). Oikos 9, 131–157 (1958)
— and M. Barnes: The effect of temperature on the oxygen uptake and rate of development of the egg mass of two common cirripedes, Balanus balanoides (L.) and Polliceps polymerus J.B. Sowerby. Kieler Meeresforsch. 15, 242–251 (1959)
Crisp, D.J.: Factors influencing the time of breeding of Balanus balanoides. Oikos 10, 275–289 (1959a)
—: The rate of development of Balanus balanoides (L.) embryos in vitro. J. Anim. Ecol. 28, 119–132 (1959b)
—: Racial differences between North American and European forms of Balanus balanoides. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 44, 33–45 (1964)
—: Differences between North American and European populations of Balanus balanoides revealed by transplantation. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 25, 2633–2641 (1968)
Darwin, C.: A monograph on the sub-class Cirripedia. Vol. 2. The Balanidae, the Verrucidae, 684 pp. London: Ray Society 1854
Fischer-Piette, E. et M. Prenant: Distribution des cirripèdes intercotidaux d'Espagne septentriole. Bull. Cent. Étud. Rech. scient., Biarritz 1, 7–19 (1956)
Flowerdew, M.W. and D.J. Crips: Esterase isozymes, their variation with season and position on the shore in the cirripede Balanus balanoides (L.). (In preparation)
Gomori, G.: Human esterases. J. Lab. clin. Med. 42, 445–453 (1953)
Haites, W., M. Don and C.J. Masters: Heterogeneity and molecular weight inter-relationships of esterase isoenzymes of several invertebrate species. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 42, 303–332 (1971)
Hinks, M. and C.J. Masters: Development changes in ruminant lactate dehydrogenase. Biochemistry, N.Y. 3, 1789–1791 (1964)
Holmes, R.S. and C.J. Masters: A comparative study of the multiplicity of mammalian esterases. Biochim. biophys. Acta 151, 147–158 (1968)
Bunter, R.L., J.T. Rocha, A.P. Pfrender and D.C. Dejong: The impact of gel electrophoresis upon our understanding of the esterases. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 121, 532–543 (1964)
Hutchins, L.W.: The bases for temperature zonation in geographical distribution. Ecol. Monogr. 17, 325–335 (1947)
Kingsbury, N.E. and C.J. Masters: Molecular weight inter-relationships in vertebrate esterases. Biochim. biophys. Acta 200, 58–69 (1970)
—: Heterogeneity, molecular weight inter-relationships and developmental genetics of esterase isoenzymes. Biochim. biophys. Acta 258, 455–465 (1971)
Masters, C.J. and R.S. Holmes: Isoenzymes, multiple form enzymes, and phylogeny. Adv. comp. Physiol. Biochem. 5, 109–195 (1974)
Matteo, M.R., R. Schiff and L. Garfield: The non-specific esterases of the marine snail: Littorina littorea. Histochemical characteristics. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 50A, 141–147 (1975)
Metcalf, R.A., G.S. Whitt, W.F. Childers and R.L. Metcalf: A comparative analysis of the tissue esterases of the white crappie (Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque) and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromamaculatus L'eseur) by electrophoresis and selective inhibitors. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 41B, 27–38 (1972)
Oxford, G.S.: The biochemical properties of esterases in Cepaea (Mollusca: Helicidae). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 45B, 529–538 (1973a)
—: The molecular weight relationships of the esterases in Cepaea nemoralis and C. hortensis (Mollusca: Helicidae) and their genetic implication. Biochem. Genet. 8, 365–382 (1973b)
Petersen, G.H.: Balanus balanoides (L.) (Cirripedia). Life cycle and growth in Greenland. Meddr Grønland 159, 1–116 (1966)
Pilsbury, H.A.: The sessile barnacles (Cirripedia) contained in the collections of the U.S. National Museum including a monograph on the American specimens. Bull. U.S. natn. Mus. 93, 1–366 (1916)
Southward, A.J.: The relationship between temperature and rhythmic cirral activity in some Cirripedia considered in connection with their geographical distribution. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 10, 391–403 (1964)
Wells, H.W., M.J. Wells and I.E. Grey: On the southern limits of Balanus balanoides (L.) in the Western Atlantic. Ecology 41, 578–580 (1960)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J.H.S. Blaxter, Oban
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Flowerdew, M.W., Crisp, D.J. Esterase heterogeneity and an investigation into racial differences in the cirripede Balanus balanoides using acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Marine Biology 33, 33–39 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394998
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394998