There were small, but statistically significant differences in calcium
ion levels in the coelomic fluid as a function of air temperature (Fig. 5;
ANOVA, df = 2, F = 18.08, P b 0.001). Within 2–4 h of emersion the calcium
ion levels in 25 °C had risen above pre-treatment levels and were
significantly higher than those in 15 and 5 °C, which remained similar to
one another (Fishers LSD P b 0.05). After 6 h of emersion the calcium ion
levels in 15 °C had increased to levels similar to those measured in 25 °C.
In contrast the calcium ion levels in 5 °C air declined significantly. Calcium
ion levels varied somewhat when the animals were transferred
from 15 and 25 °C back to seawater, but remained higher than those
of the 5 °C treatment animals, where pre-treatment calcium levels
were only regained after 6 h recovery in seawater