Thermal tolerance and locomotor activity of blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus instar reared at different temperatures. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azra, Mohamad N.; Chen, Jiann-Chu; Ikhwanuddin, Mhd; Abol-Munafi, Ambok Bolong
• Is Part Of: Journal of thermal biology. Volume 74(2018)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 240
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Aquaculture -- Crustacean -- Movement -- Thermoregulation -- Water temperature -- Potential invasion; Thermobiology -- Periodicals; Temperature -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Thermobiologie -- Périodiques; Thermobiology; Periodicals; 571.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4565

Abstract

Abstract: Owing to its potential market value, the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus is of great economic importance. The temperature of water significantly affects the physiological function and production efficiency of these crabs. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the critical thermal minimum (CTMin), critical thermal maximum (CTMax), acclimation response ratio (ARR), escaping temperature (Tesc), and locomotor behavior of P. pelagicus instars at 20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, 32 °C, and 36 °C. The CTMax ranged from 39.05 °C to 44.38 °C, while the CTMin ranged from 13.05 °C to 19.30 °C, and both increased directly with temperature. The ARR ranged from 0.25 to 0.51. The movement of crabs (walking before molting) correlated positively with the acclimation temperature. These results indicate that the parameters evaluated varied with temperature. Furthermore, the high CTMax indicates the potential of this species to adapt to a wide range of temperatures. In addition, the implications of these findings for portunid crabs behavior and distribution in their natural habitat are also discussed. Graphical abstract: Blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus at different stages of instar (C 1-C8). C8 crabs were used in the present study Movement of blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus instar C8 (from point A to point B, and to point C) was evaluated for three weeks at different temperatures. (i) Crab tagged 1 showing ready to move, (ii) Crab tagged 2 showing to new position, (iii) Crab tagged 3 showing to new positions and Crab tagged 4 showing ready to move, (iv) Crab tagged A showing new positionfx1 Highlights: Portunus pelagicus instar 8 has CTMax 44.38 °C and CTMin 13.05 °C. Lowest and highest escaping temperatures were 18.33 °C and 39.62 °C, respectivley. Instar crab reared at 36 °C had 47 movements per 30 min. Crabs reared at 20–36 °C had dynamic temperature polygon area of 375 °C 2 . This is the first study on P. pelagicus instar movement at different temperatures.