Respiratory responses to air-exposure in the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) (Decapoda:Palinuridae)

Air-exposure of settled Jasus edwardsii at 17˚C initially halved oxygen consumption, doubled ventilation frequency and reduced heart rate. During 8 h emersion, oxygen uptake partially recovered, ventilation remained elevated and heart rate was restored. Haemolymph PCO2 increased fourfold, despite the hyperventilation. Branchial gas exchange, initially impaired in air, may improve as the gills drain. Partial anaerobiosis was indicated by elevation of haemolymph [lactate-] to 4.2 mmol L-1. Although haemolymph pH decreased ~0.3 units over 8 h, a base excess compensated all of the metabolic and part of the respiratory acidosis. On return to water, oxygen consumption initially increased to >2.5 times pre-emersion rates while ventilation and heart rates increased further. Most respiratory variables returned to pre-emersion levels within 8 h of re- immersion, but oxygen consumption and heart rate remained elevated for 24 h. The excess oxygen consumption over resting rate during 24 h recovery in water indicated a metabolic cost of 8 h emersion equivalent to 10 h resting metabolism in water. These responses contrast with better acid–base compensation previously reported for undisturbed Homarus gammarus in air and worse tolerance of air-exposure by Panulirus argus