Postmoult Uptake of Calcium by the Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) in Water of low Salinity

1992 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS S. NEUFELD ◽  
JAMES N. CAMERON

After moulting, blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) acclimated to a salinity of 2‰ were able to calcify as rapidly and accumulate as much calcium as crabs in sea water. Immediately after moult, the total masses of calcium, magnesium and strontium present in the whole body were 4.6, 15.6 and 3.0%, respectively, of their intermoult values. During the time of most rapid calcification, calcium uptake was 5.4±1.4mmoll−1, which is comparable to the maximum rate found in seawater-acclimated crabs. The concentrations of bound and free calcium in the blood changed very little with acclimation salinity, remaining at approximately 3 and 8mmoll−1, respectively, both during intermoult and 1 day postmoult. Free calcium changed relatively little through the moult cycle, varying between 6.9 and 8.1mmoll−1, but bound calcium rose to a peak of 6.4mmoll−1 prior to moult then dropped to 2.6mmoll−1 after moult, concurrent with a decrease of approximately 80% in the protein concentration of the blood. The concentration of total magnesium in the blood increased from a premoult low of 9.0mmoll−1 to a postmoult high of 11.7mmoll−1 and remained elevated throughout the period of rapid mineralization. During the postmoult period of rapid calcium uptake, the internal-to-external concentration ratio for total calcium was 6.6 to 1. The activity ratio, however, was only 2.5 to 1 because 28% of the calcium in the blood was bound to protein, and because the lower ionic strength of the medium resulted in a 2.5-fold higher activity coefficient for the water compared to blood. The transepithelial potential at postmoult (−5.4±0.7mV) was significantly more negative than at intermoult (−3.1±0.6mV). In artificial 2‰ sea water, the transepithelial potential (−9.3±0.7mV) was higher than the equilibrium potential for calcium (−12.0±0.5mV), implicating active transport in the uptake of calcium.

1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (6) ◽  
pp. R891-R896 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Lafeber ◽  
G. Flik ◽  
S. E. Wendelaar Bonga ◽  
S. F. Perry

Bidirectional whole body flux and branchial Ca2+ influx were measured in freshwater rainbow trout. Intra-arterial injections of homogenates of Stannius corpuscles (CS) as well as of a 54-kDa isolated product (hypocalcin) exerted an inhibitory effect on whole body Ca2+ influx, but did not effect Ca2+ efflux. Hypocalcin was more effective in reducing Ca2+ influx in trout acclimated to low-calcium freshwater than in fish from normal-calcium water. We conclude that the isolated product (hypocalcin) represents the hypocalcemic principle of the CS. Similar doses of hypocalcin caused quantitatively similar decreases in Ca2+ influx in vivo and in the isolated perfused head preparation. This indicates that the gills form the principle target for hypocalcin in trout. The branchial transepithelial potential did not change during hormone treatments. Possible mechanisms of hypocalcin action are suggested.


1994 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
D Neufeld ◽  
J Cameron

The rate of calcium uptake in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) acclimated to 2 sea water with a calcium concentration of 1.4 mmol l-1 was dependent on the magnitude and direction of the electrochemical gradient for calcium. When transferred to water with a high calcium concentration (6 mmol l-1), the electrochemical gradient for calcium favoured diffusive influx, and calcium uptake and apparent H+ excretion increased by approximately 50 %. When transferred to water with a low calcium concentration (0.10 mmol l-1), where the electrochemical gradient for calcium strongly favoured diffusive efflux, calcium uptake ceased but apparent H+ excretion continued at a reduced rate. Crabs regulated the free calcium concentration in their blood at approximately 8 mmol l-1 when the external concentration of calcium was 1.4 mmol l-1 or higher, but the concentration of free calcium in the blood decreased to 5.6 and 4.6 mmol l-1, respectively, at external concentrations of calcium of 0.25 and 0.10 mmol l-1. Crabs transferred to water with 0.10 mmol l-1 calcium for the first 2 days after moult accumulated only 2.5 g calcium kg-1 wet mass, about one-quarter of the mass normally accumulated. Seawater-acclimated crabs transferred to 2 salinity at 1 day postmoult took up calcium at a reduced rate, indicating that a period of acclimation is necessary for a component of the active transport system to increase its capacity, for diffusive efflux to be reduced, or for both to occur.


2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (20) ◽  
pp. 3145-3152 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Gleeson ◽  
K. Hammar ◽  
P.J. Smith

To test the hypothesis of a diffusion-generated, ionic/osmotic microenvironment within the olfactory sensilla (aesthetascs), flux gradients of Ca(2+) and K(+) associated with the external surfaces of these sensilla were spatially mapped using self-referencing, ion-selective microelectrodes. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) acclimated to low-salinity conditions (15% sea water and fresh water) showed a net efflux of ions from the aesthetascs. The region of maximum flux associated with each aesthetasc conformed to that predicted from structural data and corresponded to the permeable region of the cuticle separating the olfactory dendrites from the external environment. Estimates of net flux from the entire tuft of aesthetascs for both Ca(2+) and K(+) fell within the predicted range on the basis of comparisons with (22)Na(+) flux measured previously and assuming a passive diffusion model of ion movement from the hemolymph to the sensillar lymph and, ultimately, to the external environment. The maximum concentrations of these ions measured deep within the tuft are discussed in the light of a potential across the aesthetascs that may limit ion efflux at low salinities.


1990 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLES W. HOLLIDAY ◽  
DAVID B. ROYE ◽  
ROBERT D. ROER

Silver staining of the adult brine shrimp, Artemia salina, revealed that only the metepipodites of the phyllopodia were significantly permeable to chloride and/or silver ions. The metepipodites stained in a reticulated pattern, possibly indicating areas in the cuticle over cells specialized for chloride secretion. Crude homogenates of metepipodites had very high Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme specific activity (ESA) which increased in proportion to the salinity of the external medium and, thus, in proportion to the need for outward salt transport in these strongly hypoosmoregulating animals. Metepipodite ESA as a percentage of whole-body ESA increased from 7.6% in 50% sea water (SW) to 25.0% in 400%SW. Gut and maxillary gland also had high Na+/K+-ATPase ESAs, implicating these organs in osmoregulatory processes as well. The time courses of increases in phyllopodial and gut ESAs in brine shrimps transferred from 100% SW to 400 % SW are consistent with the induction of new Na+/K+-ATPase; 4–7 days was required for significant increases to occur. Haemolymph ion analyses and transepithelial potential differences, measured in brine shrimp acclimated in all the SW media, indicate that chloride is actively transported out of the brine shrimp while sodium is very close to electrochemical equilibrium across the body wall. Thus, the metepipodites of the brine shrimp appear to possess cells with many functional similarities to the teleost branchial chloride cells.


1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Gleeson ◽  
M Wheatly ◽  
C Reiber

As the blue crab Callinectes sapidus moves from sea water to fresh water, the 'exposed' chemosensory dendrites in the olfactory sensilla (aesthetascs) undergo changes in length that are positively correlated with environmental salinity. In this study, we demonstrate the following. (1) The responses of the olfactory receptor cells of freshwater-acclimated crabs are reduced relative to those of seawater-acclimated animals, but increase with a time course comparable to the increase in dendrite length when these crabs are transferred to sea water. (2) The olfactory response of seawater-acclimated crabs is lost and the chemosensory dendrites osmotically ablated if the aesthetascs are acutely exposed to low salinity. However, maintaining iso-osmotic conditions with mannitol preserves both the physiological response and the structural integrity of the dendrites. (3) The flux of [14C]thiocyanate and 22Na between the hemolymph and sensillar lymph of the aesthetascs indicates continuity between these fluid compartments. (4) There is a net efflux of Na+ from the hemolymph through the aesthetascs in freshwater-acclimated crabs, and measurements of electrical potential across the antennules suggest that this efflux largely derives from passive diffusion. (5) Dendrites in the aesthetascs of crabs acclimated to brackish water are intermediate in length between those of freshwater- and seawater-acclimated animals. Together, our findings suggest that, at low salinities, the efflux of Na+ (and probably other ions) from the hemolymph generates an ionic/osmotic microenvironment within the aesthetascs that sustains the structural and functional integrity of the olfactory dendrites. We propose that the length of these dendrites, and consequently the olfactory response, is constrained by the distance over which this microenvironment can be effectively maintained.


Author(s):  
John Davenport

When exposed to water of low salinity specimens of Mytilus edulis L. keep their shell valves tightly closed; they do not gape periodically to test the external medium. Exchange of salts and water between the mantle cavity and the environment is thus minimized. Rising salinities are registered by diffusion of salts to the tentaculate portion of the inhalent siphon and not to any other portion of the mantle edge or to any more deeply located structures.


Author(s):  
D. F. Jefferies ◽  
C. J. Hewett

INTRODUCTIONThe caesium radionuclides, caesium-137 and caesium-134, are important constituents of aqueous radioactive effluents discharged to the environment of the United Kingdom from fuel re-processing plants and nuclear power stations (Howells, 1966; Mitchell, Harvey & Smith, 1968; Harvey, Baker & Mitchell, 1969). Their accumulation by marine fishes has been the subject of several previous studies, beginning with that of Chipman (1959) who noted that caesium-137 was accumulated in the flesh of the killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) and that accumulation continued even after a period of 72 days. Similarly, Hiyama & Shimizu (1964) showed that the muscle of the common goby (Acanthobus flaviamus) continued to accumulate caesium-134 from sea water after periods of 30 days. Baptist & Price (1962) have examined the whole body uptake of caesium, by absorption from sea water, in two marine species, the flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) and the Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus), and they also investigated the accumulation, tissue distribution and excretion of caesium-137 in the croaker, the little tuna (Euthynnus alleteratus) and the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatoux), following oral administration of single doses. These authors concluded that the heart, liver and spleen of the croaker absorbed caesium-137 from sea water at a faster rate than the muscle, and that orally administered caesium-137 was rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract. Tissue distributions were similar in the croaker, bluefish and tuna. The retention of caesium-137 in croaker tissue was described as a multiple rate process. In later experiments Hiyama & Shimizu (1969) compared turnover rates in various organs and tissues following uptake from sea water and from single injection experiments, and obtained good agreement between the values from the two methods.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (2) ◽  
pp. R884-R893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Fuentes ◽  
Christophe Haond ◽  
Pedro M. Guerreiro ◽  
Nádia Silva ◽  
Deborah M. Power ◽  
...  

Calcium regulation in sturgeon is of special interest because they are a representative of the ancient fishes possessing mainly cartilaginous skeletons and a supposedly low calcium demand. The present study aimed to characterize the effect of a chronic absence of dietary calcium and the effect of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrPA) (1-34) ( 7 ) on calcium balance in juvenile sturgeon ( Acipenser naccarii). At rest, sturgeon juveniles are in net positive calcium balance, since whole body calcium uptake is significantly higher than efflux and calcium accumulates in the body. To study the importance of dietary calcium, the sturgeon were kept on a calcium-free diet for 8 wk. This manipulation impaired growth as measured by failure to gain weight or increase in length and indicates that dietary calcium is important for growth in sturgeon. An increased whole body calcium uptake partially compensated dietary calcium deficiency and was associated with increased gill chloride cell number in lamellae and filaments in parallel with increased gill Na+K+-ATPase activity. In addition, a single injection of piscine PTHrP(1-34) significantly increased whole body calcium uptake and decreased whole body calcium efflux. Administration of PTHrP significantly increased circulating plasma calcium 4–24 h postinjection. The increase in net calcium transport and increased plasma levels of calcium is consistent with the actions of a hypercalcemic factor. It would appear that the sturgeon rely on calcium for growth and tightly regulate calcium transport. The action in calcium balance is consistent with PTHrP acting as a hypercalcemic factor in sturgeon.


1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Piller ◽  
R Henry ◽  
J Doeller ◽  
D Kraus

Callinectes sapidus and C. similis co-occur in estuarine waters above 15 salinity. Callinectes sapidus also inhabits more dilute waters, but C. similis is rarely found below 15 . Previous work suggests that C. sapidus may be a better hyperosmoregulator than C. similis. In this study, energy metabolism and the levels of transport-related enzymes in excised gills were used as indicators of adaptation to low salinity. Oxygen consumption rates and mitochondrial cytochrome content of excised gills increased in both species as acclimation salinity decreased, but to a significantly greater extent in C. similis gills. In addition, C. similis gills showed the same levels of carbonic anhydrase and Na+/K+-ATPase activities and the same degree of enzyme induction during low-salinity adaptation as has been reported for C. sapidus gills. However, hemolymph osmolality and ion concentrations were consistently lower in C. similis at low salinity than in C. sapidus. Therefore, although gills from low-salinity-acclimated C. similis have a higher oxygen consumption rate and more mitochondrial cytochromes than C. sapidus gills and the same level of transport-related enzymes, C. similis cannot homeostatically regulate their hemolymph to the same extent as C. sapidus.


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