The oxygen consumption ofCrangon vulgaris(Fabricius) (Crustacea, natantia) in relation to salinity

Abstract

The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of the sand-living Crangon vulgaris was measured at various temperatures and salinities. Starvation was found to have no influence on resting OCR, while the active OCR was steadily decreasing. In the temperature range 0–20°C the Q₁₀ was between 2.5 and 3.6, i. e. within the normal range for crustaceans. The OCR was compared for animals weighing 100 ± 10 mg and 200 ± 20 mg (wet weight) at various salinities at the temperatures +6, 13 and 20°C. At all temperatures OCR was found to increase at salinities lower than about 20%, and at +6 and +13°C it also increased at higher salinities, while no significant increase at higher salinities was found at +20°C. It is suggested that this OCR pattern reflects the osmo-regulatory work, as Crangon is a homoiosmotic animal with isotony in 21–23%. Only a small part of the respiratory increase is caused by higher activity at high and low salinities.