Short term effects of limb autotomy on immune function and disease resistance of Portunus trituberculatus (Brachyura, Portunidae)

What is it about?

Crustaceans usually autotomize their limbs in response to physical and physiological threats. In this study, the short term effects of different degrees of autotomy on immune function and disease resistance of Portunus trituberculatus were studied by autotomizing one limb (mild autotomy) and four limbs (severe autotomy). The results indicate that P. trituberculatus could respond to the short term negative effects of limb autotomy by corresponding physiological regulation mechanisms, but the disease resistance was still reduced. This study showed that the self-regulation ability of P. trituberculatus in response to limb autotomy was limited, especially in the case of severe autotomy.

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