The sea star Anasterias minuta broods the embryos in the oral region; embryos then block the mouth and prevent the parent from taking up nutrients during the brooding period. Here, we analysed content of carbohydrates in different organs as well as in eggs, embryos and juveniles of A. minuta. We found that these biochemical components are used mainly by the pyloric caeca and the body wall as reserve substances to endure the periods of reduced consumption rates of non-brooding females and males and the long-term starvation of brooding females. The ability to translocate carbohydrates from females to embryos and juveniles observed in other species of sea stars was not confirmed.
