The Osmotic Behaviour of a Number of Grapsoid Crabs with Respect to their Differential Penetration of an Estuarine System

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Abstract
1. The effect of salinity upon five Australian grapsoid crabs exhibiting differential penetration of an estuarine system has been investigated. 2. The salinity tolerances over a range of 2-70 ‰ (approx.) salinity, the acclimation times, and the osmoregulatory capabilities of these species have been determined. 3. It is concluded that for four of the five species salinity is probably a limiting factor in hyposaline conditions; whilst for only one species is salinity probably a limiting factor in hypersaline conditions. The relative abundances of two species in the estuary appears to be a function of their capabilities for osmoregulation. 4. Habitat preferences probably limit the upstream penetration of one species, and may limit the downstream penetration of a second.