Stress effect of two different transport systems on the physiological profiles of the crab Cancer pagurus

Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758, is a very important commercial species that can survive out of water if kept cool and humid. Once caught for commercial purposes and shipped around the world, animals are likely to be subjected to a number of stressors, including emersion and air exposure, hypoxia, temperature changes and handling. The aim of this study was to compare the stress effects on the crab C. pagurus of two different transport procedures, refrigerated truck transport in tanks with water or in boxes with high air humidity. Animals were monitored, by hemolymph bleeding, at different time 0 h (arrival time at plant) 3 h, 12 h, 24 h and 96 h after immersion in the stocking tanks. We analysed the effects on glucose, lactate, total protein cholesterol, triglycerides, chloride and calcium concentrations, pH, hemolymph density, and total hemocyte count (THC). On arrival, blood glucose, total protein, and hemolymph density were significantly higher in the animals transported in water. Lactate was very high for both groups, with no significant difference between them, and returned to basal levels after 24 h. From these results the "air" transport of the animals appears to have a positive impact on the animal conditions and welfare. The information obtained should help to identify critical steps that lead to poor animal condition and mortality. Moreover the data may be useful to generate an internationally accepted Code of Practice for the handling and transport of crustaceans.