Abstract
In the amphipod Megalorchestia (Orchestoidea) californiana immersed in full-strength seawater at 15 °C, gill excision resulted in a decrease in CO2 and NH4+ excretion but not in O2 uptake. When the temperature was increased to 25 °C, however, there was a significant decrease in all gas exchange as a result of gill excision. Gill excision also resulted in a decrease in haemolymph pH and [Formula: see text] at both experimental temperatures. Furthermore, pretreatment of large individuals with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide resulted in a significant increase in haemolymph pH, [Formula: see text], and total CO2 regardless of whether or not gills were present. There was, however, a significant increase in haemolymph [Formula: see text] in treated individuals as a result of gill excision. This study has shown that the coxal gills of this talitrid amphipod were involved in gas and ion exchange (particularly CO2 and NH4+). It is unlikely, however, that the gills were the only sites of exchange.
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