Osmotic and ionic regulation in the ghost crab ocypode saratan in hypoionic and hyperionic media and following desiccation in air

Abstract EN

1.

Sodium, potassium and magnesium ion concentrations in the blood of Ocypode were hypoionic to normal and concentrated sea water.

2.

Over the entire salinity range tested calcium ion concentration was found to remain fairly constant and hyperionic to all media.

3.

The changes in haemolymph sodium concentration reflect the changes in total osmotic concentration.

4.

Death from desiccation related directly to weight loss, indicating that.

water loss probably as circulating haemolymph volume was the critical factor, rather than ionic concentration.