Effect of salinity acclimation on osmoregulation inCrangon crangonandPraunus flexuosus

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Abstract
The effect of acclimation to low or high salinity on the osmoregulatory abilities of C. crangon L. (Crustacea, Natantia) from 2 habitats (Aberdour, Scotland and Oresund, Denmark) and P. flexuosus (Mueller) (Crustacea, Mysidacea) from Oresund, Denmark was investigated. The effect of salinity acclimation on the salinity tolerance of Crangon was also examined. Animals acclimated for a long time to low salinity in the laboratory, or from low salinity habitats had enhanced hyperosmotic regulation when exposed to low salinities. Animals acclimated for a long time to high salinity in the laboratory, or from a high salinity habitat, had enhanced hypo-osmotic regulation when exposed to high salinities. Acclimation to low salinity also extended the survival time in low salinities and high salinity acclimation extended the survival time in high salinities. The difference in the osmoregulatory abilities of populations from different habitats are a phenotypic acclimation response and not a genetic difference between the populations, since if populations of Crangon or Praunus from different salinities are exposed to each other''s salinity, they behave in the same manner as the population which is resident in that salinity.