The effect of salinity on growth and weight loss of juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa,L): An experimental test

Previous population estimates of the 0+ plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the Firth of Forth, east central Scotland, did not take account of the Forth estuary west of the Forth bridges. Previous work found plaice in the estuary grew as fast as, or faster than, the outer firth plaice. It was hypothesised that salinity may affect growth rates of early 0+ plaice. This hypothesis was tested in a laboratory experiment, by exposing juvenile plaice to three different, but naturally — experienced by the juveniles, salinities; 25, 30 and 35. Plaice fed a minimum ration did not grow in length. Mean weight decreased at all three salinities, however, the lowest weight loss was found at the lowest salinity (25) and the highest weight loss was found at the highest salinity (35). The minimum feeding ration was halted and plaice were then fed ad libitum. Consumption rates were not significantly different during the ad libitum feeding, while significant differences in mean weight change were found between the highest and lowest salinities.     

Influence of combined changes in salinity and copper modulation on growth and copper uptake in the tropical green macroalga Ulva reticulata

The influence of salinity on growth and Cu uptake in the green macroalga Ulva reticulata collected from the intertidal area in the Western Indian Ocean was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Exposure concentrations ranged from 5 to 500 μg Cu l⁻¹ at five salinities (ranging 20–40). The accumulation of Cu increased with decreasing salinity, so that the uptake at 500 μg Cu l⁻¹ was approximately 2.7, 2.4 and 2.0 times higher at salinities of 20, 25, and 30 respectively, than uptake at salinity of 35, and with uptake being lowest at salinity of 40. Ulva maintained a positive growth rate over the whole salinity range (20–40), with highest rates at salinity of 35. When exposing to Cu at low salinities (20 and 25), the growth rate of Ulva was strongly inhibited suggesting an increase in toxicity of Cu with decreasing salinity. EC50 and NOEC increased with increase in salinity, implying a reduced Cu toxicity at high salinities. It was concluded that salinity needs to be considered when using macroalgae, such as U. reticulata, as a bioindicator of heavy metals in areas with heavy rainfall, underground fresh water intrusion or in estuaries, as they might accumulate more metals and be more negatively affected.     

盐度对星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)幼鱼摄食生长的研究(英文)

在实验室塑料水槽中,观察了不同盐度条件下星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)幼鱼(10.6±0.27g)的存活率,摄食和生长状况。结果表明:将星斑川鲽幼鱼从盐度为32的海水中直接移入低盐水中,在各个盐度下96h后存活率均为100%;经盐度驯化后42d的各组鱼成活率也为100%。盐度0,8,16组的增重率和特定生长率高于24和32组;摄食率32时最高,16时最低;饵料转化效率16时最高24时最低,各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。另外实验表明低盐度有利于星斑川鲽白化病的康复。     

Salinity tolerance of northern Brazilian mangrove crab larvae, Ucides cordatus (Ocypodidae): Necessity for larval export?

The life cycle of the semiterrestrial mangrove crab Ucides cordatus includes pelagic larvae that are released into estuarine waters during the wet season and who may thus encounter potentially stressful low and variable salinity conditions. The effect of salinity on the survival of the zoea larvae, the number of zoeal stages and the duration of development from hatching to megalopa was experimentally studied by rearing larvae from the Caeté estuary, Northern Brazil, in seven salinity treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30). For a better interpretation of the laboratory results, estuarine salinities were measured over five consecutive years during the species' reproductive season. The survival of the zoea larvae varied significantly with salinity, while the number of stages and the duration of their development remained constant. Development to megalopa took 20.77 ± 1.57 days and comprised five zoeal stages with ZI and ZII being euryhaline and later stages stenohaline. The newly hatched larvae stayed alive for up to 6 days in freshwater (average 4.32 ± 0.82 days), but did not moult to the second zoeal stage. ZII larvae first occurred from salinity 5 onwards and later zoeal stages at all tested salinities ≥10. However, the larvae only survived to megalopa at salinities ≥15, with highest numbers at salinity 30 (72%) and lowest at 15 (16%). Lethal salinities ≤10 occurred frequently in the estuary during the reproductive season. This suggests a need for larval export to offshore and thus more saline waters to allow for significant larval survival and maintenance of viable populations of this commercially important species. A regional rather than local approach for management is suggested due to the likelihood of long distance larval dispersal by offshore currents.     

Carbon stable isotopes in estuarine sediments and their utility as migration markers for nursery studies in the Firth of Forth and Forth Estuary, Scotland

The stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of the organic fraction of intertidal sediments in the Forth Estuary and the Firth of Forth, Scotland, were measured to determine if terrestrially derived carbon was present in the estuarine sediments. It was hypothesised that differences in the inputs from marine vs. terrestrial sources to the organic carbon of estuarine and marine sediments, as well as differences in ambient seawater stable oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) ratios between the estuary and the Outer Firth, would allow the use of these two stable isotopes as habitat markers for juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), to allow determination of nursery habitats. Muddy and sandy sediments from the estuary and sandy sediments from the Outer Firth were sampled and δ¹³C measured. Juvenile plaice were caught at two estuarine sites and at two Outer Firth sites and otoliths were removed for δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O analysis. The sandy sediments in the estuary showed a strong gradient of δ¹³C enrichment with distance down the estuary, while the muddy sediments showed a much shallower gradient. δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O measured in the carbonate of juvenile plaice otoliths showed no clear difference between otoliths of fish caught at one of the estuarine sites and at the two Outer Firth sites. However, the isotope ratios of both carbon and oxygen in plaice otoliths from the other estuarine site showed the expected trend of depletion in the heavier isotopes. While the measurements recorded here did not conclusively distinguish between otoliths from juveniles caught in the estuarine site and those caught in the other three sites, they show that stable isotopes have potential to distinguish between estuarine habitats with terrestrial carbon inputs, and coastal marine habitats with predominantly marine carbon inputs.     

Comparative salinity tolerances of four siphonariid limpets in relation to habitat restriction of the rare and endangered Siphonaria compressa

The salinity tolerances of four South African species of limpet in the genus Siphonaria were experimentally tested, in the context that one of them, S. compressa, is South Africa's most endangered marine mollusc and is restricted to two lagoonal localities that normally experience little variation in salinity. Its habitat is additionally restricted in that it occurs only on the eelgrass Zostera capensis. The other three species, S. capensis, S. concinna and S. serrata, are abundant and widespread on temperate rocky shores. We hypothesised that S. compressa would have limited tolerance to low salinities, contributing to its absence from otherwise suitable estuaries that experience regular fluctuations of salinity. The percentage survival of the limpets was recorded in salinities ranging from 2 to 35 over that period. Both salinity and species significantly affected the survival of the limpets over the 96 hours. Survival was highest in salinities close to those of normal seawater, and greatly reduced in the hypo saline waters. S. compressa had the lowest salinity tolerance of the four species, its time-to-50% mortality in hyposaline waters being significantly less than that for the other three species, which differed in a manner that could be correlated with their zonation patterns. Restriction to eelgrass, coupled with low salinity tolerance, probably explains why S. compressa is found at only two localities, both of which normally experience salinities close to that of seawater. Even there, mass mortalities of S. compressa have been recorded in association with die-backs of eelgrass after abnormal freshwater flooding or sedimentation—further emphasising the vulnerability of S. compressa to extinction.     

日粮水平对黑鲷幼鱼氮收支的影响

于１９９４年８－１１月进行４次黑鲷幼鱼摄食－生长实验,平均水温２６．８,２４．４,２０．１和１４．８℃,生次实验分４个日粮水平,分别对单位体重日摄取、粪便氮、氮排泄和氮生长进行测定和估计。     

Rearing in intermediate salinity enhances immunity and disease-resistance of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Studies were conducted to investigate the non-specific immune responses and disease-resistance of juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus,cultured at four different salinities(8,20,32 and 40) . Three concentrations(3.75 × 10 7,3.75 × 10 8 and 3.75 × 10 9 CFU/ml) of Vibrio anguillarum suspension were employed at each salinity to determine the 4-day LD 50 . The serum lysozyme activity,the alternative complement pathway activity(ACH50) and the phagocytosis percentage of head kidney in turbot were tested at 24,48 and 72 h post-challenge of V. anguillarum(1.1 × 10 8 CFU/ml,0.1 ml) ,respectively,to evaluate the non-specific immune responses at the selected rearing salinities. Fish reared at salinity 20 had the lowest mortality,namely,the highest 4-day LD 50 value(8.88 ± 0.17) . Besides,the lysozyme activity,ACH50 and the phagocytosis of turbot were the highest at the salinity 20,but with the lowest at the salinity 40 treatment regardless of sampling time. In addition,the non-specific immune activities kept increasing within 72 h post-challenge of V. anguillarum,except that the lysozyme activity increased from 24 to 48 h,and then decreased from 48 to 72 h at 40 significantly. These results together indicate that rearing in intermediate salinity(20) was able to enhance the immunity and disease-resistance of turbot.     

盐度渐变对黄条鰤消化酶和超氧化物歧化酶活力及甲状腺激素的影响

为探讨黄条鰤(Seriola aureovittata)对盐度渐变的应激响应机制,设置盐度5、10、15、20、29和35共6个盐度渐变点,对幼鱼的消化酶活力、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和甲状腺激素(T4)等生理指标进行了检测和分析。研究显示:胃、肠、肝脏和幽门盲囊的脂肪酶的活性均在盐度29渐变点最高,在低盐度渐变点这4个组织的脂肪酶活性均随盐度降低而降低。肠和肝脏的蛋白酶活性在盐度29渐变点达到峰值,幽门盲囊的蛋白酶活性则在盐度35渐变点最高,且与其他盐度渐变点间有显著性差异(P<0.05)。胃、肠、肝脏的淀粉酶活性在盐度29渐变点最高,而幽门盲囊的淀粉酶活性在盐度35渐变点最高,但与盐度29渐变点无显著性差异(P>0.05)。血清SOD活性在盐度5渐变点显著低于其他盐度渐变点(P<0.05),SOD活性在盐度20和35渐变点与29渐变点无显著性差异(P>0.05)。血清T4浓度随着盐度的升高或降低均升高,盐度20渐变点与29渐变点的T4浓度无显著性差异(P>0.05)。研究显示,自然海水盐度29是黄条鰤幼鱼存活的适宜盐度,且黄条鰤幼鱼能较快适应略低盐度(20~29),但较低或较高盐度渐变点的消化酶活力和抗应激指标则显著异常。盐度渐变可引起黄条鰤幼鱼的消化生理、抗氧化水平和T4浓度的变化,黄条鰤幼鱼对外界盐度变化表现出较强的适应性。     

不同盐度与雌二醇投喂对花鲈幼鱼生长性能的影响

为了探寻不同盐度和17β-雌二醇(E2)对花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)幼鱼生长性能影响,作者设置3个实验盐度梯度,分别为正常养殖盐度(30)、低盐度(0)、高盐度(45),对初始平均体质量分别为0.10607、0.84341、10.94173 g/尾的花鲈,急性盐度胁迫后进行养殖实验,并对前两批幼鱼进行E2投喂处理。结果表明,在3种规格盐度实验处理中,低盐组鱼类都表现出比较显著的生长优势(P0.05),随着规格增大,淡化所需的时间越短,在盐度处理组中,高盐处理组与正常组鱼类平均体质量在各阶段中无显著差异(P0.05)。经50与25 mg/kg剂量的E2投喂处理后,处理组花鲈幼鱼在体长、体质量方面都出现了明显抑制,且肝质量指数显著增加并出现腹水现象,同时,高盐处理与雌二醇投喂之间可能存在协同作用,加强了对花鲈幼鱼早期生长的抑制作用。目前对花鲈幼鱼淡化过程中恢复情况的研究较少,同时未见有关E2投喂对花鲈幼鱼生长性能影响的研究,作者研究结果对北方花鲈在不同盐度水体中的养殖模式推广提供科学依据,并对E2诱导性别分化同时所产生的生长性能降低的风险评估提供参考。     

Response of Acartia populations to environmental variability and effects of invasive congenerics in the estuary of Bilbao, Bay of Biscay

The effect of environmental factors (river discharge, water temperature and dissolved oxygen saturation) on the abundance and distribution of Acartia populations and the interactions between their congenerics was evaluated by means of transfer function (TF) models in the estuary of Bilbao during the period 1998–2005. The recorded species were Acartia clausi, Acartia tonsa, Acartia margalefi and Acartia discaudata. Acartia clausi dominated in the entire euhaline region of this estuary until 2003 when it was displaced from the inner part by A. tonsa. This invasive species (A. tonsa) was found for the first time in 2001 and colonized successfully the inner (salinity 30) and intermediate (salinity 33) waters of this estuary since 2003. The TF models revealed an immediate and negative effect of A. tonsa on A. clausi in the intermediate salinity (33) waters, where these species showed the highest spatial overlap. The results indicate that environmental changes from 2003 influenced the abundance of Acartia species, being unfavourable for A. clausi. The decrease of A. clausi abundance in low salinity waters was related to a significant decrease of dissolved oxygen saturation levels, whereas the increase of temperature was linked to a significant increase of A. tonsa. Acartia margalefi and A. discaudata were scarce over the entire period, but they were found to be valuable indicators of hydrological changes, which were associated to climate factors. These two latter species increased in abundance and expanded their seasonal distribution, and in the case of A. margalefi also its spatial distribution, in 2002, coinciding with the period in the time-series when autumn–winter rainfall and summer temperatures were lowest, and dissolved oxygen saturation levels were highest.     

盐度对菲律宾蛤仔摄食率和清滤率的影响

实验室条件下,对15、20、25、30和35五个盐度梯度下菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的摄食率RI和清滤率RC进行了测定。结果表明,在15~25的盐度条件下,蛤仔的摄食率RI和清滤率RC随着盐度的升高而增大,在25时达到最大值,而在25~35盐度条件下,随盐度的增加而减小。     

Grazing Impact of the Copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calanus sinicus</Emphasis> on Phytoplankton in the Northern East China Sea in Late Spring

We investigated the feeding habits of Calanus sinicus during its four developmental stages as copepodite 4 (CIV), copepodite 5 (CV), adult males and females in early June 2015 at 12 sampling stations along the southern coast of Korea to the northern East China Sea, to better understand the role of C. sinicus in controlling phytoplankton stocks. Ingestion rate, daily ration as body carbon, population ingestion rate, and grazing impact were estimated using the gut pigment method. The mean biomass of CVs was the greatest (13.5 mg C m^–3) and that of adult males was the lowest (0.7 mg C m^–3). The ingestion rate per C. sinicus individual tended to increase with developmental stage, with the highest rate in adult females (519 ng chl ind^–1 d^–1) and the lowest rate in CIVs (305 ng chl ind^–1 d^–1). A significant correlation was found between ingestion rate and temperature, but not salinity or chlorophyll-a concentration. The daily ration of C. sinicus as body carbon significantly decreased with increased body weight, with the highest value found in CIVs (66.4%) and the lowest value in adult males (30%). Despite the high ingestion rate of the adults, the mean grazing impact of C. sinicus on phytoplankton biomass, in terms of chlorophyll-a concentration, was the highest in CVs (2.6%), followed by CIVs and adult females, and was the lowest in adult males (0.1%). The higher grazing impact of copepodites than adults underscores the importance of evaluating copepodite stages in the feeding studies of marine food webs.     

海马齿对不同盐度水质的碳汇作用以及不同形态氮利用的研究

为探讨海马齿(Sesuvium portulacastrum)对水域环境修复作用,本文研究了水培海马齿对不同盐度水质的碳汇作用以及不同形态氮的利用情况。实验设计0、10、20、30、35盐度梯度,海马齿水培时间82 d,然后测定植株干重、营养元素含量以及积累速率,最后在抑菌与不抑菌条件下研究海马齿根际与铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)、硝态氮(NO₃^--N)、无机磷(PO₄^3-)以及色氨酸(Trp)吸收转化关系。研究结果表明,盐度10条件下海马齿植株干重、有机元素含量以及积累速率最高,有机碳、有机氮与有机磷积累速率分别为(5.572±1.611)、(0.313±0.058)、(0.057±0.013)mg/(d·ind.),而高盐环境35盐度条件下对海马齿生长造成一定胁迫。盐度0～35范围,海马齿均未出现死亡现象。不同盐度抑菌培养条件下,色氨酸与无机氮共存时均能被能被海马齿利用,色氨酸利用量远高于硝态氮、铵态氮;不抑菌条件下铵态氮则表现出增加的结果。海马齿作用在盐度...     

盐度对滨海湿地盐地碱蓬生理指标和反射光谱的响应分析

为探讨盐度对碱蓬生理指标和反射光谱的响应,以滨海湿地盐地碱蓬(Suaedasalsa)为研究对象,采用自然光照盆栽试验方法研究8种盐度(0(对照,CK)、5、10、15、20、25、30和35)对碱蓬幼苗的生理指标(株高、鲜质量、干质量、叶绿素含量、可溶性总糖和蛋白质质量比)和反射光谱的响应。研究结果表明:盐度对碱蓬植株生理指标存在显著响应,低中盐度(0～25)对植株生长有促进作用,而高盐度(30～35)对植株生长起到抑制作用;25盐度下,碱蓬株高、鲜质量、干质量、叶片叶绿素含量、可溶性总糖质量比均高于其他盐度和对照组;不同盐度处理下的碱蓬植株蛋白质质量比均高于对照组;盐度对碱蓬反射光谱存在明显响应,碱蓬在绿光和近红外波段的反射率随着盐度的增加而逐渐减小;通过相关分析判断出碱蓬株高、鲜质量、干质量、叶绿素含量、可溶性总糖和蛋白质质量比的诊断波段,分别是547、555、548、556、546和2 300 nm。碱蓬高光谱特征指数MTCI、MNDVI1、DCNI、TCARI/OSAVI和R546在不同盐度下存在明显差异,可作为盐分胁迫的高光谱响应诊断指标。分析盐度对碱蓬生理指标和反射光谱的响应,可为深入研究碱蓬对退化滨海湿地生态修复具有重要参考意义。     

盐度对河川沙塘鳢(Odontobutis potamophila)胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中能量收支的影响

提要在淡水、1.00、2.00、3.00、4.00盐度等条件下,采用鱼类生物能量学的方法,测定了河川沙塘鳢胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中的耗氧率、NH3-N排泄率,并对不同盐度下河川沙塘鳢胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中的能量流转进行了研究。结果表明,在不同发育时期,盐度对耗氧率和NH3-N排泄率都有显著影响,以1.00盐度条件下的耗氧率为最低,而NH3-N排泄率则在淡水条件下为最低并随着盐度的升高逐渐增高;盐度对河川沙塘鳢胚胎、仔鱼发育过程中的能量收支有显著影响,以1.00盐度条件下的能量分配模式为最佳模式,代谢耗能占食物能的比例(R/C)最低,为35.06%,而生长能占食物能的比例(G/C)最高,达到58.55%,能量收支方程为:100C=6.40U 35.06R 58.55G。     

Effect of salinity on heavy metal mobility and availability in intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary

The effect of the flood water salinity on the mobility of heavy metals was studied for intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium). Soils and sediments of 4 sampling sites were flooded with water of different salinities (0.5, 2.5, and 5 g NaCl L⁻¹). Metal concentrations were monitored in pore water and surface water. To study the potential effects of flood water salinity on metal bioavailability, duckweed (Lemna minor) was grown in the surface water. The salinity was found to primarily enhance the mobility of Cd and its uptake by duckweed. Cadmium concentrations in pore water of soils and sediments and surrounding surface waters significantly exceeded sanitation thresholds and quality standards during flooding of initially oxidized sediments. Moreover, the effect was observed already at lower salinities of 0.5 g NaCl L⁻¹. This implies that risks related to Cd uptake by organisms and Cd leaching to ground water are relevant when constructing flooding areas in the brackish zones of estuaries. These risks can be reduced by inducing sulphide precipitation because Cd is then immobilised as sulphide and its mobility becomes independent of flood water salinity. This could be achieved by permanently flooding the polluted sediments, because sulphates are sufficiently available in the river water of the brackish part of the estuary.     

The distribution and population dynamics of O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) on nursery grounds in the Firth of Forth

Midsummer (1 August) population estimates of about 2 million O-group plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) were derived for sandy bays around the Firth of Forth in 1979–1980. This is an order of magnitude less than similar estimates made for the Clyde Sea Area in 1973–1974. Autumn population estimates of 0·4–1·0 million fish were comparable to estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the area between the Scottish border and Flamborough Head (2·3 million for 1970 and 1973) which represented 4·8% (1973) to 5·3% (1970) of the total number of O-group fish on the English east coast.Largo Bay was the most important nursery area holding 25% of the total population. It is particularly well situated to receive newly metamorphosed plaice carried in water currents along the north side of the Forth from the spawning ground off Fife Ness. Plaice in the Forth are mainly distributed on fine to medium sandy beaches (186–480 μm), the mean number per haul in midsummer (D) being correlated with the median diameter (m.d. in μm) of the low water sediments by the equation: D=−45·7666+0·2327 m.d. (n=11,r=0·68,P<0·02 but>0·01).The shallow inshore water in sandy bays in the outer Firth was well mixed and more marine than estuarine (27·7–35·0‰). The correlation coefficient between fish density and water temperature was low, while that with salinity (S‰) was: D=6·1618+0·2238S (n=23,r=0·62,P<0·005).Regression analysis demonstrated that the relationship between the instantaneous mortality rate (Z) and the initial population density (D_p) was: Z×100=0·7480+0·0546d_p (n=12,r=0·87,P<0·001).The mean mortality rate for the O-group plaice in the Forth nursery areas was 53% month⁻¹.     

Suspended silt and salinity tolerances of the first zoeal stage of the fiddler crab Uca annulipes (Decapoda: Brachyura) and why marine connectivity is essential to the survival of the species

Fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) undergo the zoeal stage of development in open-ocean waters, where they experience stable salinity levels, low turbidity and reduced predation. The St Lucia estuarine system has undergone many geomorphological changes, both natural and anthropogenic, and the estuary mouth has been closed since the early 2000s. Despite recent attempts to improve marine connectivity, it remains limited, occurring primarily on the flood tide through channels connected to the adjacent Mfolozi River. Larval export from the St Lucia Estuary is therefore almost non-existent. A laboratory study was undertaken to examine the silt and salinity tolerance of Uca annulipes first stage zoeae, to investigate whether survival in the closed-estuary conditions would be possible. Salinity tolerance was narrow, with zoeae displaying 100% mortality at salinities <20 and >35 after five days. Zoeae were widely tolerant to silt loading and did not display a significant decrease in survival over a range of 0–1 000 NTU. A limited salinity tolerance is in accordance with the life-history strategy of fiddler crabs, and a high tolerance to turbid waters can be advantageous to small-bodied merozooplankton. Given the stenohaline nature of the zoeae, marine connectivity is therefore essential for the persistence of U. annulipes in this estuarine habitat.     

Impacts of Habitat Complexity on Physiology: Purple Shore Crabs Tolerate Osmotic Stress for Shelter

Purple shore crabs, Hemigrapsus nudus (Crustacea: Decapoda), can survive indefinitely in salinities of 8 (25% SW), but also tolerate short-term exposure to salinities as low as 2. In the laboratory their salinity preference range, determined from choice chamber experiments, is 22–32 and they can discriminate between pairs of salinities separated by a difference of 2. These crabs show a strong positive thigmotaxis and a weak negative phototaxis and tend to choose environments with available shelter. The presence of shelter significantly alters the behaviour of this species. When shelter is available the salinity preference range is 10–32. Even in salinities below this preference range, the presence of shelter prolongs the time spent in the lower test salinities. This change in behaviour has implications on the crab's physiology: the haemolymph osmolality falls to lower levels when crabs remain in low salinity under shelters. In the field, H. nudus is found in creeks with salinities close to freshwater and they may remain in this salinity for up to 11 h, if there are rocks under which to shelter. An increase in habitat complexity increases the number of crabs that are found within the creek. These crabs in the low salinity environment have a lower haemolymph osmolality than crabs on the nearby open shore. In H. nudus the behavioural selection of a shelter appears to outweigh the physiological costs associated with osmotic regulation of the body fluids. Therefore, the distribution of H. nudus in estuaries may depend more on the availability of suitable habitats rather than the salinity tolerance of this species.