ABSTRACT
Nutrients are utilized for respiration, somatic growth and gonadal growth. The consumption of oxygen can be used to estimate the amount of nutrients used for energy production; the proportion generated by anaerobic metabolism is not known but currently is considered to be minimal. The rate of utilization of nutrients for the production of energy for synthetic activities associated with gametogenesis seems to be sufficiently low to be camouflaged by the total amount of energy used by the individual for other activities. The respiratory rates of echinoderms have rarely been considered in the context of utilization of nutrients. A decrease and eventual cessation of somatic growth resulting from utilization of nutrients for gametogenesis has been suggested. Although gonadal growth does seem to decrease somatic growth seasonally, at least with low levels of food, gametogenesis is continuous throughout the year in most cases. The utilization of these nutrients has been demonstrated histochemically in several instances.
