Effects of Changes of Temperature on the Respiration of Certain Crustacea

Abstract

While much work has been carried out recently¹ on the long-term changes which take place in poikilotherms following a change from one constant temperature to another, little is known about the respiratory changes which take place within a short time after the temperature is altered. The object of the present study was to investigate this. Experiments have been carried out on the following Crustacea: Neomysis integer, Hemimysis lamornae, eggs of Astacus pallipes, Diaptomus gracilis. A detailed study was made on Arternia salina. The rate of respiration was estimated using a continuous-flow apparatus which will be described elsewhere. Most of the animals were kept for two days or more at the initial temperature of the experiment. They were then put in the apparatus, and after a few hours this was suddenly transferred to a new constant temperature, at which they were kept for a further period, usually a few hours, before finally being replaced at the initial temperature of the experiment. The oxygen consumption was followed throughout.