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Journal of Experimental Biology 103,225-236 (1983)
Published by Company of Biologists 1983

Aquatic Gas Exchange in the Freshwater/Land Crab, Holthuisana Transversa

PETER GREENAWAY 1, J. BONAVENTURA 2, and H. H. TAYLOR 3

1 School of Zoology, University of New South WalesP.O. Box 1, Kensington, N.S.W. 2033, Australia
2 Marine Biomedical Center, Duke University Marine LaboratoryBeaufort, North Carolina 28516, U.S.A.
3 Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Private BagChristchurch, New Zealand

Holthuisana transversa (von Martens), a freshwater/land crab from arid areas of Australia, is an efficient bimodal breather. In water, resting MO2 (1.65µmol g-1h-1) and Vm (15.6ml g-1 h-1) at 25°C were lower than in other aquatic crabs whilst percentage extraction of oxygen was quite high (47 %). MO2 was not regulated at low ambient PO2 but could be increased at least three times during exercise. Normoxic PaO2 was low (18 Torr) compared with other water-breathing crabs. The haemolymph contained haemocyanin which had a moderate affinity for oxygen (P50 = 8.0 Torr) and carried over 90% of the oxygen transported. Oxygen content of post-branchial haemolymph was low (346µmoll-1). There was a small positive Bohr shift (log P50/pH-0.33). The strategy of gas exchange in water is discussed and compared with that of aquatic crabs.

Key words: Gas exchange, Holthuisana, land crab

Submitted on August 16, 1982
Accepted on September 20, 1982






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1983