Relationship between oxygen consumption and body size of the amphinomid polychaete Eurythoe complanata

ABSTRACT

The oxygen consumption of young and adult specimens of the opolychaete Eurythoe complanata was determined in relation to body size. The equation Y=0.086 W 0.40, r2= 0.76 (P<0.01) was obtained from polychaetes with body sizes ranging from 0.15-4.74 g, at 20.0 ñ 1 gradfe C and 32 grade /00 salinity. The Q10 value (mean ñ SD) determined between 20.0 ñ 1 grade C and 28.4 ñ 1 grade C was 2.57 ñ 1.07. The metabolic rate obtained for E. complanata was lower than expected for an errant species, reflecting the more sedentary mode of life of the polychaete, and adaptation to an environment in which the animal may be expected to low oxygen availability: