Post‐exercise acid‐base disturbance in Gecarcinus lateralis, a Terrestrial Crab

Following enforced activity the hemolymph of Gecarcinus lateralis exhibits a “mixed” respiratory and metabolic acidosis. There is an elevation of hemolymph lactate and P levels and a reduction of total CO2. The lactate release is slow and peak concentrations are reached in 20 minutes. One hour after exercise hemolymph pH, total CO2 and P have returned to resting levels but lactate is elevated for four hours following activity. The metabolic acidosis is due only partly to lactate. A rapid change in base deficit following exercise appears to be independent of lactate concentrations.