Metabolic loss of organic carbon by the polychaete Capitella capitata (Fabricius) estimated from initial weight decrease during starvation, oxygen uptake, and release of 14C by uniformly-labeled animals

Abstract

Rate of metabolic loss of organic carbon by the polychaete Capitella capitata (Fabricius) was estimated by following the initial decrease in weight during starvation. This estimate was compared to estimates derived fron measuring oxygen uptake and loss of 14 C as 14CO2 and DO14C fron uniformity-labeled worms. There was general agreement between the methods at al 3 experimental temperatures *10, 20 , 30 oC) The weight loss method may be a useful alternative to O2 uptake for stimating metabolism in some instances