Temperature preference and circadian oxygen consumption of the red spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus (Randall, 1842)

Abstract

The temperature preference of the red spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus, measured during a 24-h cycle, was characterized by two selected temperatures, one during the light phase (median = 13.3 ± 0.33ºC) and another during the dark phase (median = 15.5 ± 0.54ºC). Both temperatures preferred by the lobsters were significantly different (P < 0.001). The oxygen consumption of the organisms had a bimodal expression, with a median rate of 22.5 mg O2 kg wb–1 h–1 during the day and of 29.4 mg O2 kg wb–1 h–1 during the night. The respiratory rate of the lobsters during the light and dark phases was significantly different (P < 0.0024). The respiratory metabolism was higher during the afternoon and night due to the nomadic movements and food searching activity that the lobsters carry out in their natural habitat.