Heat production inLittorina saxatilis Olivi andLittorina neritoides L. (gastropoda: Prosobranchia) during an experimental exposure to air |
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Authors: | Inge Kronberg |
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Institution: | 1. Abt. Marine ?kologie und Systematik, Zoologisches Institut der Christian-Albrechts-Universit?t, Olshausenstra?e 40-60, D-2300, Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany
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Abstract: | The adaptation of littorinid molluscs to prolonged aerial exposure was investigated by the determination of heat production.Littorina saxatilis, inhabiting the upper eulittoral, reached a maximum metabolic activity during submersion (heat production: 3.26×10−3J s−1 (gadw)−1. On the first three days of desiccation, the heat production was continuously reduced to 40% of the submersed value. A prolonged
aerial exposure was lethal for this species. In the supralittoralL. neritoides, three stages of energy metabolism could be observed: An intermediate heat production during submersion (1.97×10−3Js−1 (gadw)−1), an increased metabolism during the first hour of aerial exposure (heat production 204% of submersed value), and a minimal
metabolism (39% of the submersed value and 19% of maximum value) during the following days and weeks of desiccation. Recovery
depended on water salinity;L. saxatilis proved to be less euryhaline thanL. neritoides. Thus, the metabolic adaptations correlate with the level of littoral habitat; inactivity combined with a drastically reduced
energy consumption is a metabolically economic way to survive in periodically dry environments. |
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