Carcinus maenas (L.) were exercised using a novel design of aquatic treadmill respirometer. Tethered exercise was performed in sea water at 5.8 m min−1 for 5min. The rate of oxygen consumption and the heart and scaphognathite beat rates increased at the onset of exercise, reaching a steady state within 180 s. The estimated haemolymph flow rate rose 2.6-fold during exercise, achieved by a 1.8-fold increase in heart rate and a 1.5-fold increase in the estimated cardiac stroke volume. The haemolymph total oxygen content difference increased significantly during exercise. Haemolymph total carbon dioxide content did not change significantly during exerise, but haemolymph pH deceased as a result of an L-lactate-induced metabolic acidosis. The acidosis may also have led to a reduced Bohr shift. It is concluded that O2 and CO2 exchange were not impaired during exercise and that C. maenas relied primarily upon O2 to fuel underwater running at 5.8 m min−1.

Keywords:
Carcinus maenas, crabs, exercise, respiration, circulation, treadmill
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© 1992 by Company of Biologists
1992