Oxygen consumption of Limnocalanus macrurus Sars (Calanoida, Copepoda) in relation to environmental conditions

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Roff, J. C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z73-131; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z73-131

The oxygen consumption of Limnocalanus macrurus and its relationship to a number of environmental parameters were determined on specimens from two arctic lakes, both in the laboratory and in situ. The Q 10 from 0 to 10 °C was 1.93 and from 5 to 15 °C was 2.20. The respiration rate increased shortly after capture of the animals and then declined to steady levels within 6 h after capture. Experimental population densities within the range of 0.1 to 2 animals/ml had no effect on the adult respiration rate nor did the volume of the respiratory container. Experiments carried out in situ showed no relationship between depth of incubation and respiration rate, and did not differ significantly from the laboratory respiration rates.The upper lethal temperature was about 18 °C but animals could briefly withstand exposure to 21 °C. Lethal oxygen concentration was dependent on temperature, being about 0.8 mg/liter at 0 °C. The relationship of these lethal levels to the distribution of the species is discussed.