OBSERVATIONS ON NON-LOCOMOTORY MANIFESTATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS AND EXCITEMENT IN THE OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION RATES OF CRABS

1. 1. Month-long individual recordings of oxygen consumption rates in limbless Cancer pagurus (L.) established the presence of semi-lunar rhythms and excited rates in these non-locomotory crabs, similar to results reported earlier for normally fed Cancer. 2. 2. Subsequent fortnight-long recordings of immobilized Carcinus maenas (L.) established the presence of circadian, circatidal, and other rhythms, similar to unrestrained crabs. 3. 3. These data are discussed in conjunction-with other findings and it is concluded that normal biological rhythms, and normal ranges of oxygen consumption rates can be produced without the contribution of muscle tissue. © 1979.