An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Oxygen Consumption of the Isopod Ligia oceanica

Abstract

A multiple-regression equation was derived in which the statistical significance of the effects of six independent variables on metabolic rate could be arranged in the following order: exposure temperature, body weight, starvation period, feeding period, acclimation temperature, and percentage of lipids. Two multiple-regression equations were required to express the metabolism of Ligia oceanica without loss of accuracy when reapplied to the individual experimental data. One equation accounted for 84% of the variation of metabolism in animals acclimated to 5 or 12 C; the second accounted for 85% of the variation of metabolism in animals acclimated to 18 or 26 C. The rate:temperature curve for aerobic metabolism was sigmoid. A region of reduced temperature sensitivity occurred at intermediate exposure temperatures. Thermal acclimation had little effect on the level of metabolism of well-fed Ligia. The maximum metabolic rate shifted from 27.6 C in fed animals acclimated at 5 C to 28.2 C in those acclimated at 12 C, to 33.1 C in those acclimated at 18 C, and to 33.4 C in those acclimated at 26 C. The region of reduced temperature sensitivity shifted from 15-25 C at low acclimation temperatures to 20-35 C at high acclimation temperatures. The effects of starvation on oxygen consumption are controlled by body size, duration of starvation, and acclimation temperature. Metabolism is suppressed in small animals sooner than large ones at each acclimation temperature; high acclimation temperatures enhance the onset and magnitude of such effects. Exposure temperature and the period of starvation influenced the effect of body size on metabolism.