Variations in serum constituents of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus: Total serum protein

Abstract

1. 1. A wide range of mean total serum protein (20–231 mg/ml) was found in mature blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus. 2. 2. In male blue crabs, the variation was not significantly correlated with salinity, temperature or season. 3. 3. In female blue crabs, the variation was positively correlated with early ovary development. Because of migratory habits of newly matured female blue crabs, a spurious positive correlation was found between salinity and total serum protein. 4. 4. Previously reported lower serum protein concentrations in male blue crabs compared with female blue crabs could not be confirmed. These reports of other workers are believed to arise from failure to consider state of ovary development in female blue crabs .