Adaptations to a Terrestrial Existence by the Robber Crab Birgus Latro: I. An in vitro Investigation of Blood Gas Transport

Abstract

ABSTRACT The gas-transporting properties of the haemolymph of Birgus latro L. were investigated in vitro. This terrestrial anomuran is restricted in distribution to the tropics, and on Christmas Island inhabits a highly stenothermal environment. The effect of temperature on haemocyanin oxygen-affinity was pronounced (ΔH = –39 kJ mol−1) and was considered to represent the absence of any specific adaptation to environmental temperature. The Bohr effect was large for a terrestrial decapod (ϕ = –0·60), although reduced at low pH. Changes in [Ca] had a significant effect on oxygen affinity of dialysed haemolymph (ΔlogP50/ Δlog[Ca] = –0·39) whereas [Mg] had no effect. Increasing, [L-lactate] had a small effect on the oxygen affinity of dialysed haemolymph (ΔlogP50/ Δlog[lactate] =–0·013) but not whole haemolymph. Dialysis increased oxygen affinity, suggesting the presence of a dialysable component that suppresses affinity. The effect of L-lactate was inhibited in whole haemolymph. The oxygen affinity of Birgus haemolymph was largely insensitive to effector substances, with the possible exception of Ca. In the case of lactate, at least, this was not due to a reduced sensitivity of the haemocyanin, a situation different from that in closely related species. Carbon dioxide transport was also affected by temperature. Birgus haemolymph showed a high nonbicarbonate buffer capacity which could be correlated with a high haemocyanin concentration. It is concluded that terrestrial anomuran decapods depend on mechanical adjustments of ventilation and perfusion, rather than employing direct modulation of haemocyanin function, to optimize oxygen delivery.