[Sterols of several Black Sea crustaceans]

Sterol content has been investigated in lower (Artemia salina) and higher crustaceans--the isopods Idotea baltica and S phaeroma pulchellum, decapod Palaemon adspersus and several amphipods. In lower crustaceans, as well as in isopods and amphipods, no 7-dehydrocholesterol was found. This fact may be associated with peculiarities of feeding of these animals. It confirms the absence of sterol synthesis in some of the crustaceans reported in the literature. Cholesterol, demosterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol were found in shrimps.