To explore the respiratory and metabolic responses of the freshwater crab Barytelphusa gureini, were exposed to sub lethal concentration (2.0 μg/L) of cadmium chloride. Oxygen consumption and hemolymph sugar level of the animal were estimated to study the stress caused by this heavy metal toxicant. These animals after acclimatization to the laboratory conditions exposed for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs to the toxicant. Total oxygen consumption was studied by Winkler's method and the hemolymph sugar level was estimated by Anthrone method. In the present study, total oxygen consumption showed a gradual decline trend from 0 to 96 hrs in the experimental animals exposed to cadmium chloride, while the hemolymph sugar level recorded an elevation, with maximum increase at 96 hrs.
Barytelphusa gureini, cadmium chloride, oxygen consumption, hemolymph sugar, Sub lethal concentration
