HEMOLYMPH PROTEIN AND COPPER CONCENTRATIONS OF ADULT BLUE CRABS (CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN)

¹ Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, N. C.
² Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, N. C.

1. Width, length and the concentrations of hemolymph protein and copper were determined individually for 333 adult blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun. Of these, 160 were adult females, 98 adult males, and 75 females in sponge.

2. In the same width-class males tend to be longer than females.

3. Wide variation in serum protein and copper concentrations was found in the three groups. There was no correlation between specimen size and mean serum protein or copper concentrations. Mean serum protein and copper concentrations of males were lower by a significant difference than those for all females; sponge females exhibited correspondingly higher mean serum protein and copper concentrations than adult females without sponge. The mean copper-protein ratios of adult male and female crab hemolymph were essentially identical and higher by a significant difference than that value for the hemolymph from sponge females.

4. Crabs bled at regular intervals exhibited a decrease in mean serum protein levels and an increment in the mean copper-protein ratios. An explanation of this observation is discussed.