EFFECT OF DIET COMPOSITION ON THE CARBOHYDRATE AND LIPID-METABOLISM IN AN ESTUARINE CRAB, CHASMAGNATHUS-GRANULATA (DANA, 1851)

1. The effects of a 15-day period of adaptation to a high-protein (HP) or carbohydrate-rich (HC) diet on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of Chasmagnathus granulata were investigated. 2. The carbohydrate-rich diet increases the blood glucose levels, the muscle and hepatopancreas glycogen and total lipids of the muscle. 3. With a high protein diet, the glycemia and glycogen of the hepatopancreas and muscle are low, and the total lipids are raised in these tissues. 4. This finding demonstrates the importance of the substrate input in regulating the energy metabolism of this crab.