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Journal of Experimental Biology 145,371-393 (1989)
Published by Company of Biologists 1989

Energetically Defining the Thermal Limits of the Snow Crab

TIMOTHY P. FOYLE 1, RONALD K. O'DOR 1, and ROBERT W. ELNER 2

1 Department of Biology and the Aquatron Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4JI
2 Benthic Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Biological Sciences Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Box 550, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 2S7

The snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, is a cold-water species found naturally at temperatures below 5°C. Its physiology and energetics were examined to understand the metabolic limitations that restrict the snow crab to these temperatures. The species is not confined to cold water because of a limited respiratory system. Routine oxygen demand can be met even at lethal temperatures of 18°C (56 mg O2kg-1h-1, with a Q10 of 2.2). Blood lactate levels remain below 1.5 mmol l-1 and actually decline slightly with temperature.

Energy budgets, which were constructed from an examination of oxygen uptake, activity and food consumption in morphometrically mature male animals between 0 and 18°C, indicate that the snow crab is energetically restricted to cold water. Rising metabolic costs overtake caloric intake around 7°C. This is probably due to digestive metabolism which is temperature-sensitive. Food consumption increases up to 6°C but then falls. Crabs stop feeding above 12°C. Although the growth equation is positive between 1 and 7°C, it becomes slightly negative below 1°C. This observation is unexpected since snow crabs are commonly found between 0 and 1°C. Slight temperature changes in the natural environment may, therefore, regulate growth and reproduction in this species.

Key words: energetics, respiration, physiology, snow crab, Chionoecetes, Crustacea, Decapoda, temperature

Accepted on March 13, 1989




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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1989