Variation in routine metabolism of juvenile muskellunge: evidence for seasonal metabolic compensation in fishes |
| |
Authors: | S R Chipps D F Clapp † D H Wahl ‡ |
| |
Institution: | Kaskaskia Biological Station, Center for Aquatic Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Rural Route 1, Box 157, Sullivan, Illinois 61951, U.S.A. |
| |
Abstract: | Metabolic rate of age 0 muskellunge Esox masquinongy ranged from 0·10 at 5° C to 0·24 mg O2 g-1 h-1 at 25° C and was significantly higher in spring and autumn than during winter months at comparable water temperatures. Reduced metabolic rate in winter was consistent with the metabolic compensation hypothesis, implying that metabolism of muskellunge varies independently of acclimation temperature and gonadogenesis. Moreover, seasonal variation in metabolic rate has important implications for energy budget studies. Single-season estimates of esocid metabolism may be inadequate to describe annual energy requirements; the magnitude of errors will depend on the time of year metabolic rate was measured. As a result, it is suggested that seasonal variation in metabolic rate be incorporated into energy budget determinations for fishes. |
| |
Keywords: | bioenergetics routine metabolic rate Esox masquinongy gonadogenesis |
|
|