Heart rate as an indicator of metabolic rate and activity in adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Telemetered heart rate (f_H) was examined as an indicator of activity and oxygen consumption rate (VO₂) in adult, cultivated, Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Heart rate was measured during sustained swimming in a flume for six fish at 10° C [mean weight, 1114 g; mean fork length (f. l.), 50·6 cm] and seven fish at 15° C (mean weight, 1119 g; mean f. l., 50·7 cm) at speeds of up to 2·2 body lengths/s. Semi–logarithmic relationships between heart rate and swimming speed were obtained at both temperatures. Spontaneously swimming fish in still water exhibited characteristic heart rate increases associated with activity. Heart rate and Vo₂ were monitored simultaneously in a 575–1 circular respirometer for six fish (three male, three female) at 4° C (mean weight, 1804 g; mean F. L., 62· cm) and six fish (three male, three female) at 10° C (mean weight, 2045 g; mean f. l., 63·2 cm) during spontaneous but unquantified activity. Linear regressions were obtained by transforming data for both f_H and Vo₂ to log values. At each temperature, slopes of the regressions between f_H and Vo₂ for individual fishes were not significantly different, but in some cases elevations were. All differences in elevation were between male and female fish. There were no significant differences in regression slope or elevation for fish of the same sex at the two temperatures and so regressions were calculated for the sexes, pooling data from 4 and 10° C. There was no significant difference in the mean ± S. D. Vo₂ between the sexes at 4° C (male, 66·0 ± 59·6 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1; female, 88·0 ± 60·1 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1) or 10° C (male, 166·2 ± 115·4 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1; female, 169·2 ± 111–1 mgO₂ kg^?1h^?1). Resting Vo₂ (x?± s. d.) at 4°C was 36·7 ± 8.4 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1, and 10° C was 72·8 ± 11·9 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1. Maximum Vo₂ (x?± S. D.) at 4° C was 250·6 ± 40·2 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1, and at 10° C was 423·6 ± 25·2 mgO₂ kg^?1 h^?1. Heart rate appears to be a useful indicator of metabolic rate over the temperature range examined, for the cultivated fish studied, but it is possible that the relationship for wild fish may differ.     

Effects of temperature on metabolic rate and lower dissolved oxygen tolerance of juvenile speckled peacock bass Cichla temensis

The speckled peacock bass Cichla temensis is a popular sport and food fish that generates substantial angling tourism and utilitarian harvest within its range. Its popularity and value make this species important for management and a potential aquaculture candidate for both fisheries enhancement and food fish production. However, little is known of optimal physiochemical conditions in natural habitats, which also are important for the development of hatchery protocols for handling, spawning and grow-out. Speckled peacock bass have been documented to have high sensitivity to extreme temperatures, but the metabolic underpinnings have not been evaluated. In this study, the effects of temperature (25, 30 and 35°C) on the standard metabolic rate (SMR) and lower dissolved oxygen tolerance (LDOT) of juvenile speckled peacock bass (mean ± standard error total length 153 ± 2 mm and wet weight 39.09 ± 1.37 g) were evaluated using intermittent respirometers after an acclimation period of 2 weeks. Speckled peacock bass had the highest SMR at 35°C (345.56 ± 19.89 mgO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹), followed by 30°C (208.16 ± 12.45 mgO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and 25°C (144.09 ± 10.43 mgO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹). Correspondingly, the Q₁₀, or rate of increase in aerobic metabolic rate (MO₂) relative to 10°C, for 30–35°C was also greater (2.76) than from 25 to 30°C (2.08). Similarly, speckled peacock bass were the most sensitive to hypoxia at the warmest temperature, with an LDOT at pO₂ of 90 mmHg (4.13 mg l⁻¹) at 35°C compared to pO₂ values of 45 mmHg (2.22 mg l⁻¹) and 30 mmHg (1.61 mg l⁻¹) at 30 and 25°C, respectively. These results indicate that speckled peacock bass are sensitive to temperatures near 35°C, therefore we recommend managing and rearing this species at 25–30°C.     

Acute effects of Cu on oxygen consumption and 96 hr-LC50 values in the freshwater fish Tilapia sparrmani (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in Mooi River hard water,South Africa

The median lethal copper (Cu) concentration (96 hr-LC₅₀) values for acute Cu toxicity for Tilapia sparrmanii (live mass: 30 ± 8g) in Mooi River hard water of dolomitic origin at 20 °C, pH 7.9, was 68.1 μmol l^?1. At this 96 hr-LC₅₀ value the specific oxygen consumption rate (∈ O₂) decreased by 44.2 (± 2.1) % from a non-exposed value of 6.6 (±0.32) mmol O₂ kg^?1 hr^?1 to 3.63 (±0.23) mmol O₂ kg ^?1 hr^?1. At 46.4 μmol Cu l^?1, 100% of the exposed T. sparrmanii were still alive after 96 hours, but the ∈ O₂ decreased by a mean value of 1.65 (± 0.16) mmol O₂ kg^?1 fish hr^?1 or 25% (± 2.4). Contrary to Pb and Cd, Cu as CuCl₂ 2H₂O was not precipitated in hard water four days after it was dissolved. Thus T. sparrmanii and other cichlids are shown to be more than an order of magnitude more resistant to Cu as a toxicant than most salmonids.     

Post‐fire carbon dynamics in the tropical peat swamp forests of Brunei reveal long‐term elevated CH4 flux

Tropical peatlands hold about 15%–19% of the global peat carbon (C) pool of which 77% is stored in the peat swamp forests (PSFs) of Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, these PSFs have been drained, exploited for timber and land for agriculture, leading to frequent fires in the region. The physico‐chemical characteristics of peat, as well as the hydrology of PSFs are affected after a fire, during which the ecosystem can act as a C source for decades, as C emissions to the atmosphere exceed photosynthesis. In this work, we studied the longer‐term impact of fires on C cycling in tropical PSFs, hence we quantified the magnitude and patterns of C loss (CO₂, CH₄ and dissolved organic carbon) and soil‐water quality characteristics in an intact and a degraded burnt PSF in Brunei Darussalam affected by seven fires over the last 40 years. We used natural tracers such as ¹⁴C to investigate the age and sources of C contributing to ecosystem respiration (R_eco) and CH₄, while we continuously monitored soil temperature and water table (WT) level from June 2017 to January 2019. Our results showed a major difference in the physico‐chemical parameters, which in turn affected C dynamics, especially CH₄. Methane effluxes were higher in fire‐affected areas (7.8 ± 2.2 mg CH₄ m^?2 hr^?1) compared to the intact PSF (4.0 ± 2.0 mg CH₄ m^?2 hr^?1) due to prolonged higher WT and more optimal methanogenesis conditions. On the other hand, we did not find significant differences in R_eco between burnt (432 ± 83 mg CO₂ m^?2 hr^?1) and intact PSF (359 ± 76 mg CO₂ m^?2 hr^?1). Radiocarbon analysis showed overall no significant difference between intact and burnt PSF with a modern signature for both CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes implying a microbial preference for the more labile C fraction in the peat matrix.     

Body size and temperature dependence of routine metabolic rate and critical oxygen concentration in larvae and juveniles of the round crucian carp Carassius auratus grandoculis Temminck & Schlegel 1846

Routine metabolic rate (RMR, mgO₂ g^?1 h^?1) and critical oxygen concentration (Pc, a hypoxia tolerance indicator, mgO₂ L^?1) were determined in larvae and juveniles of round crucian carp, Carassius auratus grandoculis Temminck & Schlegel 1846, by measuring oxygen consumption at 15°C, 20°C, and 30°C. In addition, the dependence of RMR and Pc on fish body weight (W, g) and temperature (T, °C) was examined to construct minimal mathematical models. RMR depended on W and showed smaller values in larger individuals. RMR was different among the three temperature conditions and showed higher values at higher temperatures. Pc was significantly related to W and was low in larger individuals; that is, larger individuals had a higher hypoxia tolerance. In contrast, Pc was independent of temperature, implying that seasonal temperature fluctuations do not cause seasonal disequilibrium of hypoxia tolerance in round crucian carp. The RMR and Pc models were RMR = 0.0674W^?0.193e^0.0562T and Pc = 1.35W^?0.107, respectively. The metabolic information clarified in this study is essential for habitat quality assessments and aquaculture management of this species.     

Thermal sensitivity of scope for activity in Pagothenia borchgrevinki, a cryopelagic Antarctic nototheniid fish

The thermal sensitivity of scope for activity was studied in the Antarctic nototheniid fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki. The scope for activity of P. borchgrevinki at 0°C was 189 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (factorial scope 6.8) which is similar to that of temperate and tropical species at their environmental temperatures, providing no evidence for metabolic cold adaptation of maximum activity. The scope for activity increased to a maximum value of 266 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (factorial scope 8.3) at 3°C and then decreased from 3 to 6°C. The thermal sensitivity of critical swimming speed was also investigated and followed a similar pattern to aerobic scope for activity, suggesting oxygen limitation of aerobic performance. Oxygen consumption rates and ventilation frequencies were monitored for 24 h after the swimming challenge and the recovery of both parameters to resting levels was rapid and independent of temperature.     

Studies of the effect of environmental factors on the rotifer predator–prey system in freshwater

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of environmental factors: temperature and photoperiod on the zooplankton predator–prey system. Rotifers, an important and cosmopolitan group of zooplankton in freshwater, were used in our study. We investigated the effect of temperature (20, 23, and 30°C) and of photoperiod (L:D = 12:0 and 0:12) on the predatory rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli consuming rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus as prey. Under A. brightwelli predation, populations of B. calyciflorus prey were consumed more slowly at 20 ± 1 and 30 ± 1°C as compared to 23 ± 1°C. Prey consumption by A. brightwelli increased from 0.63 ± 0.09 ind. predator⁻¹ at 20°C to a peak of 1.22 ± 0.12 ind. predator⁻¹ at 23°C, then decreased significantly to 0.93 ± 0.14 ind. predator⁻¹ at 30 ± 1°C. In addition, predation responded to temperature changing sensitively and rapidly. Statistical analysis showed that the prey consumption were significant different under altered temperature periods during 12 h. Photoperiod also significantly influenced the rate of A. brighwelli predation. B. calyciflorus suffered less predation in darkness than in light. The rate of prey consumption in light (1.06 ind. predator⁻¹) was twice the average of that in darkness (0.51 ind. predator⁻¹). Furthermore, predation rate varied under changing photoperiod but predators moved back into the light did not resume their original consumption rate. Our results demonstrate that whether the predation in rotifer successfully or not is strongly influenced by temperature and photoperiod.     

Exercise metabolism in two species of cod in arctic waters

The northern range of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), overlaps the southern range of the Greenland cod (Gadus ogac), in the coastal waters of Western Greenland. The availability of a temperate water species (G. morhua) in the same area and oceanographic conditions as a polar species (G. ogac) presented us with the ideal circumstances to test the hypothesis of metabolic cold adaptation (MCA) since many of the problems associated with MCA studies (adaptation of the animals beyond their normal temperature range or mathematical extrapolation of data to common temperatures) could thus be avoided. We therefore used a swim tunnel to measure oxygen consumption in fish at 4°C over a range of swimming speeds and following exhaustion, monitored the size of the oxygen debt and time of oxygen debt repayment. There were no significant differences in standard (60–72 mg O₂ kg^–1· hr^–1), routine (76 mg O₂ kg^–1·hr^–1), active (137mg O₂ kg^–1·hr^–1), or maximal (157 mg O₂ kg^–1·hr^–1) metabolic rate, metabolic scope (2.5) or critical swimming speed (2.2 BL·s^–1) between the two species. Following exhaustive swimming, however, the half-time for oxygen debt repayment in G. ogac (43 min) was almost twice that of G. morhua (25 min). Despite its circumpolar distribution, therefore, there was no evidence of MCA in G. ogac.     

Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid

We determined the maximum sustained swimming speed (U_crit), and resting and maximum ventilation rates of the Antarctic fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki at five temperatures between −1°C and 8°C. We also determined resting metabolic rate (VO₂) at −1°C, 2°C, and 4°C. U_crit of P. borchgrevinki was highest at −1°C (2.7±0.1 BL s⁻¹) and rapidly decreased with temperature, representing a thermal performance breadth of only 5°C. This narrow thermal performance supports our prediction that specialisation to the subzero Antarctic marine environment is associated with a physiological trade-off in performance at high temperatures. Resting oxygen consumption and ventilation rate increased by more than 200% across the temperature range, which most likely contribute to the decrease in aerobic swimming capabilities at higher temperatures.     

Maximum sustainable speed, energetics and swimming kinematics of a tropical carangid fish, the green jack Caranx caballus

Maximum sustained swimming speeds, swimming energetics and swimming kinematics were measured in the green jack Caranx caballus (Teleostei: Carangidae) using a 41 l temperature‐controlled, Brett‐type swimming‐tunnel respirometer. In individual C. caballus [mean ±s.d. of 22·1 ± 2·2 cm fork length (L_F), 190 ± 61 g, n = 11] at 27·2 ± 0·7° C, mean critical speed (U_crit) was 102·5 ± 13·7 cm s^?1 or 4·6 ± 0·9 L_F s^?1. The maximum speed that was maintained for a 30 min period while swimming steadily using the slow, oxidative locomotor muscle (U_max,c) was 99·4 ± 14·4 cm s^?1 or 4·5 ± 0·9 L_F s^?1. Oxygen consumption rate (M in mg O₂ min^?1) increased with swimming speed and with fish mass, but mass‐specific M (mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) as a function of relative speed (L_F s^?1) did not vary significantly with fish size. Mean standard metabolic rate (R_S) was 170 ± 38 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1, and the mean ratio of M at U_max,c to R_S, an estimate of factorial aerobic scope, was 3·6 ± 1·0. The optimal speed (U_opt), at which the gross cost of transport was a minimum of 2·14 J kg^?1 m^?1, was 3·8 L_F s^?1. In a subset of the fish studied (19·7–22·7 cm L_F, 106–164 g, n = 5), the swimming kinematic variables of tailbeat frequency, yaw and stride length all increased significantly with swimming speed but not fish size, whereas tailbeat amplitude varied significantly with speed, fish mass and L_F. The mean propulsive wavelength was 86·7 ± 5·6 %L_F or 73·7 ± 5·2 %L_T. Mean ±s.d . yaw and tailbeat amplitude values, calculated from lateral displacement of each intervertebral joint during a complete tailbeat cycle in three C. caballus (19·7, 21·6 and 22·7 cm L_F; 23·4, 25·3 and 26·4 cm L_T), were 4·6 ± 0·1 and 17·1 ± 2·2 %L_T, respectively. Overall, the sustained swimming performance, energetics, kinematics, lateral displacement and intervertebral bending angles measured in C. caballus were similar to those of other active ectothermic fishes that have been studied, and C. caballus was more similar to the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus than to the kawakawa tuna Euthynnus affinis.     

Respiration rates of subitaneous eggs from a marine calanoid copepod: monitored by nanorespirometry

The oxygen consumption rate during embryogenesis of Acartia tonsa subitaneous eggs were measured at different temperatures (10, 15, 17, 21, 24 and 28°C) with nanorespirometry. The oxygen consumption was constant during the embryogenesis but increased rapidly at hatching time. The mean ± SD oxygen consumption rate increased exponentially with temperature and ranged from 0.09 ± 0.04 (10°C) to 0.54 ± 0.09 nmol O₂ egg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (28°C). The mean ± SD Q₁₀-value was 2.51 ± 0.15. Calculations of energy consumption during embryogenesis ranged from 1.86 to 18.28 mJ depending on temperature and development time. We conclude that the effect of temperature on oxygen consumption rate was far less important than the prolonged development time when calculating the energy consumed during embryogenesis.     

Protection from illegal fishing and shark recovery restructures mesopredatory fish communities on a coral reef

The recovery of communities of predatory fishes within a no‐take marine reserve after the eradication of illegal fishing provides an opportunity to examine the role of sharks and other large‐bodied mesopredatory fishes in structuring reef fish communities. We used baited remote underwater video stations to investigate whether an increase in sharks was associated with a change in structure of the mesopredatory fish community at Ashmore Reef, Western Australia. We found an almost fourfold increase in shark abundance in reef habitat from 0.64 hr^?1 ± 0.15 SE in 2004, when Ashmore Reef was being fished illegally, to 2.45 hr^?1 ± 0.37 in 2016, after eight years of full‐time enforcement of the reserve. Shark recovery in reef habitat was accompanied by a two and a half‐fold decline in the abundance of small mesopredatory fishes (≤50 cm TL) (14.00 hr^?1 ± 3.79 to 5.6 hr^?1 ± 1.20) and a concomitant increase in large mesopredatory fishes (≥100 cm TL) from 1.82 hr^?1 ± 0.48 to 4.27 hr^?1 ± 0.93. In contrast, near‐reef habitats showed an increase in abundance of large mesopredatory fishes between years (2.00 hr^?1 ± 0.65 to 4.56 hr^?1 ± 1.11), although only smaller increases in sharks (0.67 hr^?1 ± 0.25 to 1.22 hr^?1 ± 0.34) and smaller mesopredatory fishes. Although the abundance of most mesopredatory groups increased with recovery from fishing, we suggest that the large decline of small mesopredatory fish in reef habitat was mostly due to higher predation pressure following the increase in sharks and large mesopredatory fishes. At the regional scale, the structure of fished communities at Ashmore Reef in 2004 resembled those of present day Scott Reefs, where fishing still continues today. In 2016, Ashmore fish communities resembled those of the Rowley Shoals, which have been protected from fishing for decades.     

Thermal survival limits of young and mature larvae of a cold stenothermal chironomid from the Alps (Diamesinae: Pseudodiamesa branickii [Nowicki, 1873])

The threats posed by climate change make it important to expand knowledge concerning cold and heat tolerance in stenothermal species from habitats potentially threatened by temperature changes. Thermal limits and basal metabolism variations were investigated in Pseudodiamesa branickii (Diptera: Chironomidae) under thermal stress between ‐20 and 37 °C. Supercooling point (SCP), lower (LLTs) and upper lethal temperatures (ULTs), and oxygen consumption rate were measured in overwintering young (1st and 2nd instar) and mature (3rd and 4th instar) larvae from an Alpine glacier‐fed stream. Both young and mature larvae were freezing tolerant (SCPs = ‐7.1 °C and ‐6.4 °C, respectively; LLT₁₀₀ <SCP and > ‐20 °C) and thermotolerant (ULT₅₀ = 31.7 ± 0.4, 32.5 ± 0.3, respectively). However, ontogenetic differences in acute tolerance were observed. The LLT₅₀ calculated for the young larvae (= ‐7.4 °C) was almost equal to their SCP (= ‐7.1 °C) and the overlapping of the proportion of mortality curve with the CPIF curve highlighted that the young larvae are borderline between freezing tolerance and freezing avoidance. Furthermore, a lower ULT₁₀₀ in the young larvae (of ca. 1 °C), suggests that they are less thermotolerant than mature larvae. Finally, young larvae exhibit a higher oxygen consumption rate (mgO₂/gAFDM/h) at any temperature tested and are overall less resistant to oxygen depletion compared to mature larvae at ≥10 °C. These findings suggest that mature larvae enter into a dormant state by lowering their basal metabolism until environmental conditions improve in order to save energy for life cycle completion during stressful conditions.     

Effect of developmental temperature on swimming performance of zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>) juveniles

It is widely known that water temperature affects the swimming capacity of fish. But the effect of the rearing temperature on the swimming ability of the fish at later stages, has not had similar attention. In this study, four populations of zebrafish, were reared in different water temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 31°C) and after being acclimatized in a common temperature (26.5°C) for over a month, they were subjected to swimming trials in order to evaluate the maximum relative critical velocity (RU _crit ) in each case. Fish that were reared in 22°C showed statistically significant lower performance than the ones reared in 31°C (7.72 ± 0.17 vs. 8.79 ± 0.28, means ± S.E.). Possible explanations for the observed differentiation could be the effect of early life temperature on fish muscle ontogeny or on body shape.     

Effect of temperature on the development, fecundity, progeny sex ratio and life-table of Campoletis chlorideae, an endolarval parasitoid of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera

Development, survival, fecundity, progeny sex ratio (PSR) and age-specific life-table parameters of the parasitoid Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were examined at six different constant temperatures (12, 17, 22, 27, 32 and 37°C) in the laboratory [70 ± 10% RH and 10:14 h (light:dark) photoperiod]. Second instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were reared on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and used as the host. Development times shortened as the temperature increased from 12 to 37°C. The estimated lower developmental threshold (tL) was 3.4°C. The thermal summation for total immature stages was 379.97 degree-days. A reciprocal relationship between temperature and longevity was observed in the range of 12–17°C. The maximum mortality of pupae (71.8%) occurred at 37°C. At 22°C, the yield of a female parasitoid averaged 137.3 ± 14.7 (mean ± SD) progeny, of which 89.6 ± 7.6 were daughters. The number of daughters produced decreased when the females were kept either above or below 22°C, although the PSR was female biased in the range of 17–27°C. The analyses of life-table parameters, developmental rates, reproduction, mortality and PSR suggest that maximum population growth (r _m ) is near 27°C. There was little variation observed in most of the desired qualities of C. chlorideae in the range of 17–27°C, and it appears that the parasitoid is adapted to a wide range of temperatures. We suggest that for maximum production the parasitoid should be reared at 22 ± 4°C and be released in areas where the temperature ranges between 17° and 27°C, as in the plains of northern India.     

Effects of acute temperature change on the metabolism and swimming ability of juvenile sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus,Linnaeus 1758)

The objective of this study was to provide information on changes in the metabolism and swimming ability of juvenile sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, caused by acutely low or high temperatures. Changes in critical swimming speed (U_crit), oxygen consumption rate (MO₂), tail beat frequency (TBF) and tail beat amplitude (TBA) were observed with a Steffensen‐type swimming respirometer, an oxygen electrode and a camera at different swimming speeds at three temperatures: 5°C, 15°C, and 25°C. Fish tested at 5°C and 25°C were maintained at 15°C (near optimal) for one week to simulate conditions below a dam. The U_crit value decreased significantly during acute temperature changes at 5°C and 25°C; U_crit was highest near the optimal temperature. Oxygen consumption rate (MO₂) increased with the swimming speed at 15°C; however, at 25°C and 5°C, the MO₂ decreased with the swimming speed. Both TBA and TBF decreased at 5°C and 25°C compared to values at 15°C. The slopes of the regression lines (TBF/U) at 5°C and 25°C seemed lower compared to 15°C.     

Acute Toxicity of Arsenic under Different Temperatures and Salinity Conditions on the White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The aim of this study was to determine acute toxicity in the post larvae of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei after 96 h of exposure to dissolved arsenic under three different temperatures and salinity conditions. Recent reports have shown an increase in the presence of this metalloid in coastal waters, estuaries, and lagoons along the Mexican coast. The white shrimp stands out for its adaptability to temperature and salinity changes and for being the main product for many commercial fisheries; it has the highest volume of oceanic capture and production in Mexican shrimp farms. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀–96 h) were obtained at nine different combinations (3?×?3 combinations in total) of temperature (20, 25, and 30 °C) and salinity (17, 25, and 33) showing mean LC₅₀–96 h values (±standard error) of 9.13?±?0.76, 9.17?±?0.56, and 6.23?±?0.57 mgAs?L^?1(at 20 °C and 17, 25, and 33 salinity); 12.29?±?2.09, 8.70?±?0.82, and 8.03?±?0.59 mgAs?L^?1 (at 25 °C and 17, 25, and 33 salinity); and 7.84?±?1.30, 8.49?±?1.40, and 7.54?±?0.51 mgAs?L^?1 (at 30 °C and 17, 25, and 33 salinity), respectively. No significant differences were observed for the optimal temperature and isosmotic point of maintenance (25 °C–S 25) for the species, with respect to the other experimental conditions tested, except for at 20 °C–S 33, which was the most toxic. Toxicity under 20 °C–S 33 conditions was also higher than 25 °C–S 17 and 20 °C (S 17 or 25). The least toxic condition was 25 °C–S 17. All this suggests that the toxic effect of arsenic is not affected by temperature changes; it depends on the osmoregulatory pattern developed by the shrimp, either hyperosmotic at low salinity or hiposmotic at high salinity, as observed at least on the extreme salinity conditions here tested (17 and 33). However, further studies testing salinities near the isosmotic point (between 20 and 30 salinities) are needed to clarify these mechanisms.     

Thermoregulation on the air–water interface—II: Foot conductance,activity metabolism and a two-dimensional heat transfer model

We used a quasi-adiabatic calorimeter and respirometry apparatus to measure heat loss from the feet of 3- to 4-d-old mallard ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos). We found that, at cool (<20 °C) operative temperatures, foot conductance increased in proportion to operative temperature, T_e, rather than water temperature. We combined these results with those of an earlier study to develop a heat transfer model for swimming ducklings. This model includes separate thermal conductances to air (0.027 W/°C-animal), to water through the down (0.035[1+2.05×10⁻⁷T_e⁴]) W/°C-animal, and to water through the feet (2.01×10⁻⁸T_e⁴ W/°C-animal). The overall conductance by all three routes is only 21% greater when swimming compared to standing in air at the same operative temperature. Interestingly, ducklings can maintain body temperature >39 °C while swimming in 5 °C water, but not when restrained in a calorimeter with 5 °C water. Peak oxygen consumption is greater when swimming, and apparently exercise metabolism substitutes almost completely for thermoregulatory heat production.     

The thermal biology of the white-tailed rat Mystromys albicaudatus,a cricetine relic in southern temperate African grassland

This study examines the hypothesis that Mystromys albicaudatus, a cricetine relic in southern Africa, has thermal characteristics typical of a rodent adapted to a cold temperature regime. Metabolic rate (oxygen consumption) of M. albicaudatus was measured using open-flow respirometry at ambient temperatures ranging from 5°C to 35°C. Lowest specific oxygen consumption was 1.352 ± 0.089 ml O₂ g⁻¹hr⁻¹ (n = 8; body mass = 93.78 ± 6.27 g) at 25°C, equivalent to 121.8% of the predicted value of Kleiber (1975), 128.8% of the value predicted for eutherians and 113.7% of the value predicted for cricetidae (Hayssen and Lacy, 1985).     

Effects of warm acclimation on serum osmolality,cortisol and hematocrit levels in the Antarctic fish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trematomus bernacchii</Emphasis>

Antarctic fish, such as the Trematomus bernacchii, living at −1.9°C maintain a serum osmolality of around 600 mOsm kg⁻¹, nearly twice that of temperate fish. Upon warm acclimation, Antarctic fish significantly lower their serum osmolality. It has been suggested that this response to warm acclimation is due to stress. The purpose of this study was to determine, whether upon warm acclimation there was a change in the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and hematocrit associated with the decrease in serum osmolality. T. bernacchii were warm acclimated up to 4 weeks and serum osmolality, cortisol and hematocrit were measured. Upon warm acclimation to +1.6 and +3.8°C over the course of 4 weeks, T. bernacchii significantly lowered their serum osmolality (from 547 ± 4 mOsm kg⁻¹ to 494 ± 6 and 489 ± 4 mOsm kg⁻¹, respectively), yet did not alter their serum cortisol (29 ± 6 nl ml⁻¹) or hematocrit (22 ± 1%) levels. These results suggest that warm acclimation does not induce a stress response in T. bernacchii.