Studies on the Physiological Variation between Tropical and Temperate-Zone Fiddler Crabs of the Genus Uca. IV. Oxygen Consumption of Larvae and Young Crabs Reared in the Laboratory

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Abstract
Comparative data on the respiration rate at different temperatures of various developmental stages of tropical and temperate zone species of fiddler crabs were obtained. The species of Uca studied were: thayeria and rapax from Puerto Rico; and minax, pugilator, and pugnax from various latitudes in the United States. First stage zoeae, megalops, and young crab stages reared in the laboratory were used. No consistent difference in respiration between zoeae of tropical and temperate zone Uca was observed but interspecific differences were found. Differences in acclimation patterns of megalops of U. pugilator and U. pugnax from different latitudes were observed with two species responding differently. No clear relationship was evident between geographical distribution and metabolism in the zoeae and megalopa stages. Young crabs of U. pugilator from different latitudes exhibited metabolic differences. The regression coefficient of metabolism and body size varied with the stage of the life cycle and with temperature. Bergann''s Rule applied to various species of Uca. The general similarity in metabolic response of larval Uca from Puerto Rico and North Carolina appears to be correlated with their similar habitat temperatures.