Respiration rates and metabolic demands of Aurelia aurita in Tokyo Bay with special reference to large medusae

Abstract

The respiration rate of large medusae (11-24 cm bell diameter, 2-17 g dry weight) and their metabolic demand were estimated under laboratory conditions. The respiration rate (R; mL O2ind-1h-1) was defined as a function of water temperature (T; °C) and body dry weight (W; g ind-1) according to the equation, R=10(0.11T-3.1)W1.093. The weight specific daily carbon demand of medusae, including respiration and growth, in spring, summer, and autumn was 5.74, 17.6, and 7.27% of body carbon weight, respectively, and these were compared with the weight specific daily ration in specimens from the same area of Tokyo Bay. © 2006, The Plankton Society of Japan, The Japanese Association of Benthology. All rights reserved.