The effect of starvation on oxygen consumption and nitrogen excretion inLepidogalaxias salamandroides (Mees)

Summary Measurement of the rates of oxygen consumption and nitrogen excretion in fed and starvedLepidogalaxias salamandroides showed that starvation has no effect on these basal metabolic parameters. A low metabolic rate (50 ml O₂ kg^–1 h^–1) is suggested to account for the lack of such an effect.A high proportion of the total waste nitrogen is excreted as urea and the magnitude of this fraction is also unaffected by starvation. The importance of urea synthesis is consistent with this species' ability to aestivate.The results are discussed with reference to current concepts in fish aestivation.