Opercular Activity and Temporal Organization of Surfacing Behaviour in Indian Catfishes,Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis |
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Authors: | Atanu Kumar AK Pati Renu R Maheshwari Seema S Gupta |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Biology , Gannon University , Erie, PA, 16541;2. Department of Zoology and Physiology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803 |
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Abstract: | Opercular and surfacing activity were observed in the Indian catfish Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis. In the series A experiments, the opercular activity was monitored under two experimental conditions, viz., (1) surfacing allowed and (2) surfacing prevented. A statistically significant elevation of the rate of opercular activity was observed when air breathing was prevented in both species. In addition, a significant prevention effect and a time of day dependence of that were noticed in both species. In the series B experiments, temporal patterns of surfacing and air-gulping activities were examined under an artificial LD 12:12 schedule at 2-h intervals over a period of 48 h. The inter air-gulping interval in minutes between two consecutive bouts was also recorded four times each day in both species. A significant 24-h rhythm was found for the rate of surfacing activity and length of the inter air-gulping interval in both species. However, the overall activity appears to be much higher in Heteropneustes fossilis as compared to Clarias batrachus. |
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Keywords: | power spectra blood pressure heart rate respiration mental load man |
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