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

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.