Effect of Zinc Sulphate on Cardiac Physiology of the Crab Barytelphusa guerini

The effect of zinc sulphate on cardiac physiology of Bartelphusa guerini was investigated after acute exposure to zinc sulphate. Remarkable differences were found between control and treated crabs. The rate of heart beat was studied at regular interval of 24 h up to 240 h (10days). The investigation showed an initial decline in heart rate up to 48 h, which then gradually decreases up to 240 h in control group. The treated animals showed initial increase up to 72 h and later there is a gradual decline in the rate of heart beat up to 240 h. The decline in rate of heart beat may indicate that animals try to settle down to the toxic medium and initial increase in the heart beat rate may be due to accelerative metabolic activity of the animal.