Sustaining olfaction at low salinities: mapping ion flux associated with the olfactory sensilla of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus

Abstract

To test the hypothesis of a diffusion-generated, ionic/osmotic microenvironment within the olfactory sensilla (aesthetases), flux gradients of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ associated with the external surfaces of these sensilla were spatially mapped using self-referencing, ion-selective microelectrodes. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) acclimated to low-salinity conditions (15% sea water and fresh water) showed a net efflux of ions from the aesthetases. The region of maximum flux associated with each aesthetase conformed to that predicted from structural data and corresponded to the permeable region of the cuticle separating the olfactory dendrites from the external environment. Estimates of net flux from the entire tuft of aesthetases for both Ca²⁺ and K⁺ fell within the predicted range on the basis of comparisons with (22)Na⁺ flux measured previously and assuming a passive diffusion model of ion movement from the hemolymph to the sensillar lymph and, ultimately, to the external environment. The maximum concentrations of these ions measured deep within the tuft are discussed in the light of a potential across the aesthetases that may limit ion efflux at low salinities.

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ORCID for P.J. Smith: orcid.org/0000-0003-4400-6853

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