Abstract
The total amount of copper in hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the shore crab Carcinus aestuarii remained unchanged when seawater-acclimated crabs (salinity 38 ppt) were exposed to diluted seawater. However, hemolymph copper, protein, and hemocyanin concentrations increased approximately 30% after 12 hr of exposure to salinities of 11 and 13 ppt. These changes were transitory, and within 96 hr the initial concentrations were restored. The hemolymph volume, determined as copper space, significantly decreased after 12 hr of exposure to diluted seawater. This change was also temporary, and the difference between the copper space of seawater-adapted crabs and crabs exposed to diluted seawater for 96 hr was not significant. When crabs acclimated to diluted seawater ( S = 11 ppt) were transferred to normal seawater, no changes in hemolymph protein and hemocyanin concentrations occurred. After hypo-osmotic stress, the blood volume decrease and the consequent increase of hemolymph copper, protein, and hemocyanin concentrations were provoked by transitory hydration of the soft tissues of the crabs.
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