The molt stages of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, are described with setal development and extent of epidermal retraction in pleopods as the major criteria for molt stage determination. Setogenic molt staging is a simple technique to use and produces no apparent adverse physiological effects. A single crab can be staged throughout an entire molt cycle using this technique. Setogenic molt staging may be performed using setae from several regions of the body. The molt cycle in Uca was divided into the following stages and substages: A-B, C, D(,0), D(,1), D(,2), and D(,3-4) The enzyme, B-glucosidase, was demonstrated to exist in the fiddler crab and was characterized by kinetic, temperature, pH sensitivity and reaction rate data. Levels of enzyme activity in the cuticle and epidermis were also determined in relation to the stages of the molt cycle. The V(,0) pH sensitivity data indicate an optimum pH of approximately 5.0. Temperature sensitivity data indicate an optimum temperature of approximately 80(DEGREES) C. The apparent Km and Vmax values of the crab B-glucosidase are 15.57mM PNPG and 0.0712mM PNPG/min respectively. The pH sensitivity and rate data suggest a multiplicity of forms for the exhibited enzyme activity. The temporal relationship of B-glucosidase activity with known molt cycle events suggests this enzyme is involved with protein sclerotization in the fiddler crab / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_27341 |
| Date | January 1985 |
| Contributors | Vigh, David Allen (Author) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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