Effects of experimental diets and of fasting on the concentration of taurine in various organs of the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) (decapoda:brachyura)

Abstract 1. 1. The taurine concentration in heart, genital organs and more markedly in hepatopancreas appears, to a certain extent, related to the one found in experimental diets. 2. 2. Fasting induces a decrease to a limit value (around 20 μmol/g) in all considered tissues. 3. 3. The experimental diets and fasting do not seem to modify the concentration of taurine in the skeletal muscle of chela which remains stable around 20–30 μmol/g. 4. 4. The role of taurine in the crabs is discussed and compared to its eventual role in Vertebrates. The question whether taurine levels depend on food or biosynthesis is discussed.