CHLORIDE ION REGULATION AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN THE CRAB OCYPODE ALBICANS (BOSQ)

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Abstract
The Cl ion content of the blood and urine of the "ghost crab", O. albicans, was detd. for animals in air and in sea water of salinities varying from 0 to 720 m[image]. Cl/l. Detns. were made on individual animals; samples were not pooled. A modification of the Volhard method of Cl detn. using 20 cu.mm. samples, and an easily constructed, versatile volumetric respirometer are described. A useful treatment of data, wherein individual exptl. detns. are related to control periods, is outlined. The avg. blood Cl in air was found to be 378 m[image] Cl/l., corresponding to 75% sea water, and was found to remain steady in environments from 120 to 600 m[image] Cl/1. In dilute or concentrated media beyond these limits, the level was not maintained. The antennal gland was found to be active in maintaining this balance, excreting proportionately more water in dilute media, and saving water and excreting proportionately more Cl in hyper-tonic media. The rate of respiration of the crab in isotonic fluid was higher than in air and appeared to be due to mechanical work associated with gill bailing. The still greater increase in O2 consumption in hypotonic and hypertonic media was related to osmotic work by gill and antennal gland in the former and principally by antennal gland in the latter.

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