Some Effects of Temperature and Food on the Rate of Oxygen Consumption by Mytilus edulis L

Abstract

The effects of temperature on the rates of oxygen consumption by marine intertidal invertebrates have been extensively studied, and the relative temperature independence of the resting, or standard, rates of consumption by some species has aroused much interest (for review, see Newell, 1970). In addition, the role of nutrition in affecting both oxygen consumption and the responses of oxygen consumption to temperature change has been recognised (Davies, 1967; Newell and Bayne, 1973). Recent papers by Thompson and Bayne (1972) and Bayne (1973 a) have explored the possibilities for inducing different levels of oxygen consumption rate (Qo2; ml of oxygen consumed per gram dry tissue weight per hour) by Mytilus by manipulating the ration. Widdows (1973) used differences in ration to establish three different levels of Qo2 in a study of the physiological effects of temperature on Mytilus. The purpose of this present paper is to summarise and review some of our recent studies in order to illustrate the importance of knowing the nutritional condition of the animals used in studies on the effects of temperature on metabolism.