OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND AMMONIA EXCRETION OF THE ANTARCTIC AMPHIPOD Bovallia gigantea PFEFFER, 1888, AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AND SALINITIES

Authors

  • Vicente Gomes Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico
  • Maria José de Arruda Campos Rocha Passos Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico
  • Arthur José da Silva Rocha Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico
  • Thais da Cruz Alves dos Santos Universidade Monte Serrat - Unimonte
  • Fabio Matsu Hasue Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico
  • Phan Van Ngan Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592014078306204

Abstract

The energy budget of Antarctic stenothermic and/or stenohaline ectotherms is modulated by variations of temperature and salinity. The joint effects of these latter on polar organisms have been but little studied. Data on this subject are of great importance for an understanding of the energy demand of Antarctic animals such as amphipods, especially when considering their ecological importance and the possible impacts of global changes. Experiments were carried out at the Brazilian Antarctic Station "Comandante Ferraz" under controlled conditions. Specimens of Bovallia gigantea were collected in Admiralty Bay and acclimated to temperatures of 0ºC; 2.5ºC and 5ºC and to salinities of 35, 30 and 25. Thirty measurements were taken for each of the nine possible combinations of the three temperatures and the three salinities. Metabolic rates were assessed based on oxygen consumption and total ammonia nitrogenous excretion in sealed respirometers. At 0ºC and 2.5ºC, the metabolic rates of the animals that were acclimated to salinities of 30 or 35 were similar, indicating a possible mechanism of metabolic independence of temperature. However, the metabolic rates were always higher at 5.0ºC. The effects of temperature on oxygen consumption and on ammonia excretion rates were intensified by lower salinities. Individuals of B gigantea have a temperature-independent metabolic rate within a narrow temperature window that can be modified in accordance with salinity.

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Published

2014-12-01

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Articles

How to Cite

OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND AMMONIA EXCRETION OF THE ANTARCTIC AMPHIPOD Bovallia gigantea PFEFFER, 1888, AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AND SALINITIES . (2014). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 62(4), 315-321. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592014078306204