THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND SEASON ON THE AERIAL OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION OF UCA-URVILLEI (EDWARDS,H.MILNE) (DECAPODA, OCYPODIDAE)

1. 1.|The summer and winter aerial respiration of Uca urvillei was measured. Both temperature and body mass were found to be important influencing factors. Values ranged between 19.8-192 μl O2/g/h. 2. 2.|Winter acclimatized crabs consumed more oxygen than summer acclimatized crabs, but seasonal differences (winter vs summer) were only significantly different at 25°C. 3. 3.|This partial seasonal acclimatization is probably due to the zoogeographic position of this tropical species in southern Africa close to its southern limit of distribution. 4. 4.|Q10s varied between 1.73 and 4.62. Values decreased with temperature but not mass, except in winter when small crabs exhibited high values of 10°C, probably as this is close to their lower lethal limit; an important factor in distribution. © 1990.