Starvation metabolism in parent Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

The experiment was conducted to study the influence of starvation on the metabolism of parent Chinese mittenhanded crab (Eriocheir sinensis) with weights of 54.59( ± 2.37 ) g under 20 ( ± 0.5) °C during Oct. to Dec., 1998. The results showed oxygen consumption, CO₂ production and ammonia-N excretion of the parent crab being starved for 30 days were 50.0%, 63.4%, and 59.1% of those of the fed crab, respectively. The course of oxygen consumption reduction could be divided into four phases: 1) from the 1st day to the 6th day, the metabolic rate decreased remarkably; 2) from the 7th day to the 15th day, the metabolic rate kept relatively stable; 3) from the 16th day to the 25th day, the metabolic rate decreased markedly again; and 4) from 26th day to 30th day (the end time of the experiment), the metabolic rate decreased most dramatically. There were only three phases during the course of CO₂ production and ammonia-N excretion reduction. Meanwhile, the standard metabolism of the starved crab reduced from 4.45 to 2.36J.g^-1.h^-1, and lipid was used as the first energy source in the course of starvation.