Metabolic responses of sand fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, in northwest Florida to seasonal temperature change

摘要

Metabolic responses of sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, populations in northwest Florida are greatly influenced by seasonal temperature fluctuations. Crabs acclimated at 20 deg C and immediately transferred to either 14 or 26 deg C produced an acutemetabolic response with respective temperature quotient (Q_(10)) values of 3.46 and 3.91. Crabs acclimated at 10 and 20 deg C exhibited a Q_(10) of 2.62 indicating a partial compensation response. A brumation (reverse) response (Q_(10) value of 20.11) was observed for acclimated crabs between 5 and 10 deg C. Brumation is advantageous during winter when food supplies are scarce and crabs must survive extensive periods of inactivity.