Survival of Lobsters, Homarus americanus, out of Water

Abstract

Median resistance times (MRT) in moist air at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C were determined for lobsters acclimated at 0, 10, and 20 °C. At temperatures above 4–8°C depending on acclimation, there was an inverse relationship between median resistance time and temperature. A break in the relationship occurred at 4–8 °C and further lowering of temperature to 0 °C had no effect on MRT. Survival time was not increased by continuous sprays of sea water. Exposure to an air–oxygen mixture containing 40% oxygen by volume had no effect; however, lobsters died faster at 55–85% oxygen. Fed lobsters died faster than starved ones. An inverse relationship between MRT and metabolic rate was indicated.