Jk. Naylor et al., Oxygen uptake of developing eggs of Cancer pagurus (Crustacea : Decapoda :Cancridae) and consequent behaviour of the ovigerous females, J MARINE BI, 79(2), 1999, pp. 305-315
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
This study investigated factors affecting the metabolic rate of Cancer pagu
rus eggs. The oxygen uptake of portions of the egg mass and recently hatche
d zoeae was measured. Oxygen uptake of the eggs of an individual animal was
found to vary widely, with measured mean values under normoxic conditions
ranging from 38 to 250 mu moles O-2 kg(-1) min(-1) Mean values for the oxyg
en uptake of zoeae ranged from 958 to 1168 mu moles O-2 kg(-1)min(-1) Mean
rates of oxygen uptake of the eggs generally increased with increasing seas
onal temperature and advancing developmental stage. Rates of oxygen uptake
were maintained over a wide range of ambient oxygen partial pressures. As o
xygen partial pressure in the seawater surrounding the eggs fell from a cri
tical value (P-c) of between 60 and 90 mm Hg, the oxygen uptake of the eggs
also declined. Mean values for ambient oxygen partial pressures within the
egg mass in vivo ranged from 34 to 98 mm Hg. Adult female C. pagurus appea
r to be able to detect conditions within the egg mass and adjust their egg
ventilation behaviour accordingly. Active egg mass ventilation by the adult
increased as the eggs became more developed and their oxygen demands incre
ased.