In:
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 89, No. 4 ( 2009-06), p. 753-759
Abstract:
The influence of temperature on larval survival and development was studied in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus , from a population off the island of Helgoland, North Sea. In rearing experiments conducted at six different temperatures (6°, 10°, 14°, 15°, 18° and 24°C), zoeal development was only completed at 14° and 15°C. Instar duration of the Zoea I was negatively correlated with temperature. A model relating larval body mass to temperature and developmental time suggests that successful larval development is possible within a narrow temperature range (14° ± 3°C) only. This temperature optimum coincides with the highest citrate synthase activity found at 14°C. A comparison for intraspecific variability among freshly hatched zoeae from different females (CW 13–17 cm, N = 8) revealed that both body mass and elemental composition varied significantly. Initial larval dry weight ranged from 12.1 to 17.9 μg/individual, the carbon content from 4.6 to 5.8 μg/individual, nitrogen from 1.1 to 1.3 μg/individual, and the C:N ratio from 4.1 to 4.4. A narrow larval temperature tolerance range of C. pagurus as well as the indication of intraspecific variability in female energy allocation into eggs may indicate a potential vulnerability of this species to climate change. Large-scale studies on the ecological and physiological resilience potential of this commercially fished predator are needed.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0025-3154
,
1469-7769
DOI:
10.1017/S0025315409003269
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1491269-7
detail.hit.zdb_id:
281325-7
SSG:
12
