The role of tidal acclimation on the physiological responses of the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas, to thermal stress

This study investigated the influence of drink carbonation and carbohydrate content on ad libitum drinking behavior and body fluid and electrolyte responses during prolonged exercise in the heat. Eight competitive male runners completed three 2-hr treadmill runs at 60%in an environmental chamber maintained atand 40% RH. Three test drinks were used: 8% carbohydrate, low carbonation (8%-C); 8% carbohydrate, noncarbonated (8%-NC), and water (0%-NC). Blood samples were taken preexercise (0), at 60 and 120 min of exercise, and at 60 min of recovery (+60 min). The data suggest that while reports of heartburn tend to be higher on 8% carbohydrate drinks than on 0%-NC, this does not appear to be a function of drink carbonation. Similarly, the increased frequency of heartbum did not significantly reduce fluid consumption either during exercise or during a 60-min recovery period. Importantly, no differences were observed between fluid and electrolyte, or thermoregulatory responses to the three sport drinks. Thus, consumption of low-carbonation beverages does not appear to significantly influence drinking behavior or the related physiological responses during prolonged exercise in the heat.

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Breaking and entering: Examining the role of stress and aerial exposure in predator–prey relationships between the common shore crab ( Carcinus maenas ) and cultivated blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis )

Aquaculture ◽

10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.11.009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 452 ◽

pp. 217-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Julia Calderwood ◽

Nessa E. O'Connor ◽

Dai Roberts

Keyword(s):

Mytilus Edulis ◽

Carcinus Maenas ◽

Shore Crab ◽

Aerial Exposure ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Blue Mussels ◽

The Common

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The nature and metabolic role of the ubiquinone present in mitochondria isolated from the common shore crab, Carcinus maenas

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology ◽

10.1016/0010-406x(66)90431-2 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 745-757 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

D.H Burrin ◽

R.B Beechey

Keyword(s):

Carcinus Maenas ◽

Shore Crab ◽

Metabolic Role ◽

The Common

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Acclimation to tidal conditions alters the physiological responses of the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas to subsequent emersion

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.242220 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah J. Nancollas ◽

Iain J. McGaw

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Carcinus Maenas ◽

Shore Crab ◽

Acid Base Balance ◽

Abrupt Changes ◽

Lower Oxygen ◽

Base Balance ◽

Lactate Levels ◽

Submerged Conditions

Animals inhabiting the intertidal zone are exposed to abrupt changes in environmental conditions associated with the rise and fall of the tide. For convenience, the majority of laboratory studies on intertidal organisms have acclimated individuals to permanently submerged conditions in seawater tanks. In this study, the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas was acclimated to either a simulated tidal regime of continuous emersion-immersion (‘tidal’) or to permanently submerged conditions (‘non-tidal’) to assess their physiological responses to subsequent emersion. Tidal crabs exhibited an endogenous rhythm of oxygen consumption during continuous submersion with lower oxygen consumption during periods of anticipated emersion, which was not detected in non-tidal crabs. During emersion, tidal crabs were able to buffer apparent changes in acid-base balance and exhibited no change in venous pH, whereas non-tidal crabs developed an acidosis associated with a rise in lactate levels. These results indicated that tidal crabs were better able to sustain aerobic metabolism and had lower metabolic costs during emersion than non-tidal crabs. It is likely that the elevated levels of haemocyanin exhibited by tidal crabs allowed them to maintain oxygen transport and buffer pH changes during emersion. This suggests that acclimation of C. maenas to submerged conditions results in a loss of important physiological mechanisms that enable it to tolerate emersion. The results of this study show that caution must be taken when acclimating intertidal organisms to submerged conditions in the laboratory, as it may abolish important physiological responses and adaptations that are critical to their performance when exposed to air.

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