Utilization of acetate-1-14C by the tarantula, Aphonepelma sp., and the scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus, in lipid synthesis

Abstract

• 1.

  1. After injection of tarantulas, Aphonepelma sp., and scorpions, Centuroides sculpturatus, with acetate-1-¹⁴C, over 30 per cent of the radiolabel was expired as ¹⁴CO₂.

• 2.

  li2. The tarantulas and scorpions had 6·3 and 3·6 times the radioactivity in the fatty acids as in teh unsapobifiable lipids. Oleic acid was predominance in both species. The scorpions lacked arachidonic acid which was present in trace amounts in the tarantulas.

• 3.

  3. Cholesterol made up greater than 99 per cent of the sterols in both species, but trace amounts of β-sitosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol were also present.