RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF THE FIDDLER CRAB UCA PUGILATOR FROM TWO DIFFERENT LATITUDINAL POPULATIONS

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Abstract
Deter-minations of respiratory rates of Uca pugilator from Woods-Hole and from Florida have been made at 1.4[degree] and 15[degree]C. Dixon volumetric respirometers were used. At 1[degree]4 C Woods-Hole Uca showed a higher O2 uptake than specimens of Florida. At 15[degree] C the difference between respective mean values was not statistically significant. Calculation of the temperature coefficient for each population showed that a decrease with increasing latitude. Observations of activity and resistance to cold showed Woods-Hole Uca more resistant to low temperature than Florida Uca. The same experiments made after the animals have been left at a common temperature at 20[degree] C showed that a stay of 7 or 8 weeks under similar conditions did not abolish the metabolic differences observed between the 2 populations. Results indicate clearly the possession of a compensatory mechanism by Uca pugilator in relation to its habitat temperature. These physiological characteristics and some morphological ones might be used to distinguish 2 subspecies of Uca pugilator.

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