Energy relations in the ion regulation in three crustacean species

Abstract

1. 1. Regulation of electrolyte concentrations in the blood of Carcinus maenas, Crangon crangon and Palaemon serratus may be described as a proportional regulation, if it is assumed that either the permeability ( p) of the body wall (gills) or the feedback factor ( k) varies with the salinity. 2. 2. With C. maenas the variation in the factor p/ k, as predicted from the regulation pattern, corresponds to experimentally determined variations in the permeability for salts; the feedback factor is found to be constant. 3. 3. When it is assumed that the electrolyte concentration in the blood of adapted animals represents the most favourable situation for energy consumption, then the relative energy consumption for ion regulation in relation to ionic stress may be predicted. 4. 4. Dependent on osmotic stress the derived relation suggests that not only deviations from the electrolyte concentration in the blood, as compared to that in the environment, but also as compared to that of the standard, are coupled with energy consumption.