Der Einfluß der Umweltfaktoren auf das Wachstum und den Häutungsrhythmus der Strandkrabbe Carcinides maenas

Abstract

Young crabs (carapace width 4 to 16 mm) were raised under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The time intervals between subsequent moults increase at all test temperatures with increasing body size. The length of intermoult periods varies with temperature and feeding. It is not affected by day length. Moulting takes place as soon as a certain increase in size is attained. In comparable size groups, the amount of this increase is identical in all test temperatures. Moreover, the relation of increase to initial size is constant over the whole size range investigated. The body volume doubles at each moult. Eyestalk amputations and loss of extremities have similar effects: They shorten the intermoult periods at 20° C considerably, but at 10° C they do so only slightly; furthermore, the amplitude of fluctuations is narrowed. The presence of large specimens tends to retard moulting in smaller ones; this response is independent of visual stimuli. The following assumptions are made: Low temperatures retard the moulting rhythm directly by slowing down growth. They are not acting via the moult inhibiting hormone. Loss of several extremities causes a stop of hormone delivery resulting in shortened intermoult periods. Recognition by touch of a larger specimen causes increased hormone delivery and thus retardation of the subsequent moulting process. © 1964 Biologischen Anstalt Helgoland.