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Seasonal change in the respiration of the dobsonfly larva, Protohermes grandis (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)
Author(s) -
HAYASHI FUMIO,
YOSHIDA TOSHIO
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1987.tb01300.x
Subject(s) - respiration , larva , biology , acclimatization , respiratory quotient , respiration rate , zoology , carbon dioxide , ecology , respiratory system , botany , anatomy , biochemistry
SUMMARY 1. Seasonal change in the respiration of the dobsonfly larva, Protohermes grandis ,was studied by measuring the oxygen consumption rate (resting metabolism) bimonthly for 2 years. The respiratory rate of the larva was significantly lower during the summer season when the stream temperature rose to 30°C. 2. Summer depression of respiration was confirmed by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide evolution. The mean value of the respiratory quotient was estimated to be 0.76 ± 0.05 SE. The larva is believed to conserve energy by this reduction in respiratory rate, 3. In other seasons, however, the larva maintained a higher respiratory rate and remained active even in the winter when the stream temperature decreased near to 0°C. In fact, significant growth in weight occurred from mid‐October to late March. 4. This acclimation to temperature may enable the efficient allocation of energy during the long larval period (3 years) in streams which have large annual fluctuations in temperature.