The Antarctic nemertean Parborlasia corrugatus: an example of an extreme oxyconformer

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Davison, W., Franklin, C. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer-Verlag 2002
• Subjects: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; 270604 Comparative Physiology; C1; 771103 Living resources (flora and fauna); Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:61562

The Antarctic nemertean worm, Parborlasia corrugatus, exhibits gigantism, reaching at least 100 g, yet lacks any specialised respiratory organs. The diffusion of oxygen into this worm occurs cutaneously. We examined the metabolic rate of P. corrugatus at -1degreesC in response to decreasing ambient PO2. As the PO2 of the water decreased. so did the metabolic rate of P. corrugatus, indicating that this nemertean worm is an extreme example of an oxyconformer. When the water PO2 decreased below about 120 mmHg, the normally short, round worms became elongated and extremely flattened. This behavioural mechanism would allow for an increase in surface area of the skin, thereby facilitating the diffusion of oxygen.