EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ACCLIMATION ON SOME ASPECTS OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN DECAPOD CRUSTACEA

¹ Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina
² Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

The preceding work on carbohydrate metabolism in Uca would suggest the following:

First, with temperature acclimation there is no qualitative shift in carbohydrate metabolic pathways, but rather there may be quantitative variations. Second, at low temperature the animal reduces its energy output to a minimal level. This may be related to the energy demands of the molt cycle. It would seem that even though sufficient carbohydrate reserves are present at low temperature, there may be variations in hormone levels which would affect the molt cycle. These physiological characteristics correlate well with field observations and the general ecology of the fiddler crab. However, generalities cannot be made for all Crustacea as there are obvious differences between genera.