Marine Biology

, Volume 105, Issue 2, pp 275–286 | Cite as

Carapace and branchial water circulation, and water-related behaviours in the semaphore crabHeloecius cordiformis (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae)

  • D. P. Maitland
Article
Accepted:

Abstract

Water uptake, branchial water circulation and various water-related behaviours and anatomical specialisations, are described for the Australian semaphore crabHeloecius cordiformis (H. Milne-Edwards 1837). Male and female semaphore crabs were observed and collected from mangrove swamps around the south side of Botany Bay, Australia between 1983 and 1987. Semaphore crabs are active at low tide in air. Their branchial chambers are modified for both air breathing and water circulation. Water is held within the branchial chambers and is used for feeding and, to a certain extent, respiration. Crabs carry between 0.35 and 0.5 ml of water (7 g live body wt). Branchial water is continuously pumped out by the scaphognathites over specialised setae-bearing regions of the carapace and back through the branchial chambers over the gills, in a manner similar to that found in many grapsid crabs. Setae associated with water circulation are described. Water falling ventrally is collected by the abdominosternal cavity (formed between the abdomen and sternum) from where it returns to the branchial chambers via branchiosternal canals. Several novel water-related behaviours are described: “Water shoogling” — branchial water is drawn out between the walking legs where it is worked by scissor-like up and down movements of the legs. “Abdomen flap” — branchial water volume is adjusted by the extension and flexion of the abdomen against the cephalothorax. “Water dumping” — by tilting forwards and “kissing” the substrate, branchial water is voided to allow an entirely fresh load to be taken up. “Statuesque posing” — crabs remain erect and motionless for long periods. Branchial water is absent and external body surfaces dry out. Posing behaviour may function in thermoregulation, osmoregulation or as an anti-fouling mechanism against settling organisms. The significance of these various behaviours is discussed.

Keywords

Respiration Water Uptake Body Surface Water Volume Water Circulation 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1990

Authors and Affiliations

  • D. P. Maitland
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.School of ZoologyUniversity of N.S.W.KensingtonAustralia
  2. 2.Department of Physiology, Medical SchoolUniversity of the WitwatersrandParktownSouth Africa

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