Summary
The oxygen consumption ofMegascolex mauritii was measured at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35° C. during summer with worms varying in weight from 0·15 to 1·5 gm. They were kept immersed under water at the laboratory temperature (at 28±1° C).
The size-temperature relationship for oxygen consumption revealed a proportionate rise in oxygen consumption at higher temperatures. But the relative rate of increase is greatest in smaller worms.
Q10 is discussed in relation to size and sudden changes in temperature and it was shown that it increases with decreasing weight. No systematic variation in Q10 with temperature was noticed.
The regression coefficient for oxygen consumption in relation to weight shows a consistent decrease with increasing temperature over the range 15 to 35° C. But at 25 and 30° C. which approximate the habitat temperature, the oxygen consumption ofMegascolex mauritii shows surface proportionality.
The changes in theb-values (regression coefficient) are explained on the basis of observed Q10 values.
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Communicated by Dr. H. Srinivasa Rao,f.a.sc.
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Saroja, K. Studies on the oxygen consumption in tropical poikilotherms. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 49, 183–193 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051655
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03051655