Faculty Publications

Ecophenotypic Physiology: Osmoregulation By Fiddler Crabs (Uca Spp.) From The Northern Caribbean In Relation To Ecological Distribution

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Crustacea, Ecology, Fiddler crab, Littoral, Osmoregulation, Tropical, Uca

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology

Volume

43

Issue

5

First Page

339

Last Page

356

Abstract

Nine species of Uca were collected across the northern Caribbean from 50 locations ranging in habitat osmolality from 18 to 2760 mmol kg-1 (mosmol). The osmoregulating ability of each species was assessed in solutions ranging from 30 to 3550 mosmol. Survivorship, lower and upper median lethal concentration and haemolymph isosmotic concentration ([ISO]) were estimated for each. A lower lethal concentration could not be calculated for some due to survival in low osmolality. By subgenus, average [ISO] for four species from the subgenus Minuca ranged from 587 to 768 mosmol and three species from the subgenus Leptuca from 805 to 881 mosmol. For species from the subgenus Boboruca and the subgenus Uca the [ISO] was 805 and 930 mosmol, respectively. These values reflect the habitat preference of each species in a subgenus. This study broadens our understanding of ecological physiology in Caribbean Uca and demonstrates intraand inter-specific differences among tropical fiddler crabs. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Department

Department of Biology

Original Publication Date

10-1-2010

DOI of published version

10.1080/10236244.2010.526407

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