Effects of ammonia loading on Porcellio Scaber: Glutamine and glutamate synthesis, ammonia excretion and toxicity

The effects of ammonia loading in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber were studied by exposing animals to atmospheres of high PNH3. Isopods show a remarkable tolerance of elevated ambient PNH3, with an LD50 of 89 Pa for a 7-day exposure. However, haemolymph total ammonia concentrations generally remained below 5 mmol l-1 (PNH3=0.37 Pa) over the range of ambient ammonia levels used (6.6­165 Pa). Following a 7-day loading period, whole-animal …