Oxygen consumption in Macrotrachela musculosa and Trichotria truncata (Rotatoria) from the High Arctic

Abstract

Oxygen consumption by rotifers Macrotrachela musculosa and Trichotria truncata from Spitsbergen tundra (77°N) was measured using the method of Cartesian divers. The metabolic rate of M. musculosa was: 0.205 10?3mm3 02 per g 10?6 per hour at 2°C, 0.201 10?6mm3 at 6°C and 0.616 10?3mm3 02 per g 10?6 per hour at 10°C. The metabolic rate of Trichotria truncata at 6° was 0.103 10?3mm3 per g 10?6 per hour. The relation between body weight and oxygen consumption by M. musculosa at 2°C is expressed with the equation R = 0.18W0.67, with R – oxygen consumption in mm310?3 per individual per hour and W – wet weight of an animal in g 10?6.