The ecophysiology of air-breathing in crabs with special reference to Gecarcoidea natalis

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
S Morris

Abstract

To succeed on land rather than in water, crabs require a suite of physiological and morphological changes, and ultimately the ability to reproduce without access open water. Some species have modified gills to assist in gas exchange but accessory gas exchange organs, usually lungs, occur in many species. In accomplished air-breathers the lung becomes larger and more vascularised with pulmonary vessels directing oxygenated haemolymph to the heart. The relative abundance of O(2) in air promotes relative hypoventilation and thus an internal hypercapnia to drive CO(2) excretion. Land crabs have a dual circulation via either lungs or gills and shunting between the two may depend on respiratory media or exercise state. During their breeding migration on Christmas Island Gecarcoidea natalis maintained arterial Po(2) by branchial O(2) uptake, while pulmonary O(2) pressure was reduced; partly because exercise doubled relative haemolymph flow through the gills. Related species rely on elevated haemocyanin concentration and affinity for O(2) to assist uptake but this compromises unloading at the tissues and thus the aerobic scope of tissues. Aquatic crabs exchange salt and ammonia with water via the gills but in land crabs this is not pos...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 4, 2004·Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology·Anke Schmitz, Jon F Harrison
Jun 13, 2013·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Mark A JensenLouise R Adams
Jul 13, 2016·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Justin C Havird, Scott R Santos
May 29, 2004·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Andrew T Gannon, Raymond P Henry
Feb 9, 2021·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology·Garett Joseph Patrick Allen, Dirk Weihrauch
Feb 23, 2021·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Garett Joseph Patrick AllenDirk Weihrauch
Dec 8, 2004·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Dirk WeihrauchDavid W Towle
Aug 17, 2021·Arthropod Structure & Development·Victoria M Watson-Zink

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