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Control of chemically stimulated feeding behavior in sand fiddler crabsUca pugilator: Evidence for hemolymph feeding inhibitory factor.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sears, MA; Rittschof, D
Published in: Journal of chemical ecology
December 1991

Uca pugilator, the sand fiddler crab, is a deposit-feeder. It feeds on exposed sand flats as the tide recedes. Feeding movements are evoked by stimulation of chemoreceptors on the dactyls. Previous studies have demonstrated that a proteinaceous factor associated with the sinus gland region inhibits chemically-stimulated feeding behavior. Here, that work is extended to show the existence of a similar inhibitory factor present in the hemolymph of fed crabs in the laboratory and in the hemolymph of crabs returning from feeding in the field. The factor is not detected in fasted laboratory crabs or in field crabs walking from burrow areas to feeding sites. Injection of glucose results in inhibition of feeding activity in intact crabs. Injection of glucose, but not galactose, stimulates feeding in eyestalk-ablated crabs. We suggest that neural responsiveness is stimulated by glucose, and that elevated glucose in intact crabs results in release of feeding inhibitory factor from the sinus gland. Release of feeding inhibitory factor into the blood enables crabs to return to burrow areas without stopping when they encounter food-laden sediments.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of chemical ecology

DOI

EISSN

1573-1561

ISSN

0098-0331

Publication Date

December 1991

Volume

17

Issue

12

Start / End Page

2337 / 2346

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences
 

Citation

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Sears, M. A., & Rittschof, D. (1991). Control of chemically stimulated feeding behavior in sand fiddler crabsUca pugilator: Evidence for hemolymph feeding inhibitory factor. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 17(12), 2337–2346. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00994586
Sears, M. A., and D. Rittschof. “Control of chemically stimulated feeding behavior in sand fiddler crabsUca pugilator: Evidence for hemolymph feeding inhibitory factor.Journal of Chemical Ecology 17, no. 12 (December 1991): 2337–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00994586.
Sears, M. A., and D. Rittschof. “Control of chemically stimulated feeding behavior in sand fiddler crabsUca pugilator: Evidence for hemolymph feeding inhibitory factor.Journal of Chemical Ecology, vol. 17, no. 12, Dec. 1991, pp. 2337–46. Epmc, doi:10.1007/bf00994586.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of chemical ecology

DOI

EISSN

1573-1561

ISSN

0098-0331

Publication Date

December 1991

Volume

17

Issue

12

Start / End Page

2337 / 2346

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences