Effect of body size, temperature and starvation on oxygen consumption of antarctic krill Euphausia superba

Ngan, Phan Van; Gomes, Vicente; Carvalho, Paulo S. M.; Passos, Maria José de A. C. R.

doi:10.1590/S1413-77391997000100001

Abstracts

Routine oxygen consumption of krill was investigated as a general measure of its metabolism and assesses the effects of body size, temperature and starvation on the metabolism. No significant difference in whole animal consllmption was detected after 1,3,5 and 7 days of starvation. The response of metabolism of krill to temperature shows a zone of independence, from 0 to 1Â°C in which the temperature exerts no effect on metabolism. From 1 to 4Â°C the metabolism increases rapidly in function of temperature. There was a general increase in oxygen consumption with increasing body wet weight. The equation 'between consumption and wet weight is given by Log Q02 = 2.061+ 0.987xLogW, with r = 0.86. The slope of the regression line b=0.987 is less than unity, indicating that oxygen consllmption per unit weight is greater for the smaller than for the larger krill. Average metabolic rate at OÂ°C of 164 krill is 733.24 l, µlO2g(dry wt)-1h-1. The metabolic rate is of 1129.67 J- µlO2g(dry wt)-1h-1 for small krill (13-19 mg dry weight) and 636.16 J- µlO2g(dry wt)-1h-1 for larger animais (160-169 mg dry weight). The metabÃ¼lism ofkrill is shown to be related to period of adaptation and types of respirometer. Prolonged adaptation period showed adverse effect on metabolism and average oxygen consumption is almost three times higher in respirometers with stirring device than in simple sealed chambers.

Oxygen consumption; Krill; Metabolism; Antarctica; Euphausia superba; Temperature; Starvation

O consumo de oxigênio de rotina de krll foi avaliado como uma forma de mensurar seu metabolismo e determinar os efeitos do tamanho, da temperatura e do jejum sobre o mesmo. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas no consumo total do animal após 1, 3, 5 e 7 dias de jejum. As respostas do metabolismo de krill em função da variação da temperatura demonstraram a existência de uma faixa de independência, de O°Ca 1°C, na qual a temperatura não exerce nenhum efeito sobre o metabolismo. De 1°C a 4°C o metabolismo aumenta rapidamente em função da temperatura. Houve um aumento significativo no consumo de oxigênio em função do peso. A equação que relaciona o consumo com o peso úmido é dada pela fórmula Log Qoz = 2,061 + 0,987x LogW, com r=0,86. A declividade da regressão foi menor que a unidade (b= 0.987), indicando que o consumo de oxigênio por unidade de peso é maior em animais menores. A média da taxa metabólica de 164 krill a O°Cé 733,24 J- µlO2g (peso seco)-1 h-1. A taxa metabólica é de 1129,67 J- µlO2g (peso seco)-1 h-1 para animais pequenos (13 a 19 mg de peso seco) e 636,16 J- µlO2g (peso seco)-1 h-1 para animais maiores (160 a 169 mg de peso seco). Demonstrou-se que o metabolismo do krill está relacionado ao período de adaptação e ao tipo de respirômetro. Períodos prolongados de adaptação ocasionaram efeitos adversos sobre o metabolismo. A média do consumo de oxigênio foi cerca de 3 vezes mais elevada em respirômetros com agitador do que em câmaras seladas simples.

Consumo de oxigênio; Krill; Metabolismo; Antártica; Euphausia superba; Temperatura; Jejum

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Effect of body size, temperature and starvation on oxygen consumption df ant arctic krill Euphausia superba

Phan Van Ngan^I; Vicente Gomes^I; Paulo S. M. Carvalho^II; Maria José de A. C. R. Passos^I

^IInstituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (Caixa Postal 66149, 05315-970 São Paulo, SP, Brasil)

^IICompanhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental - CETESB (Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Jr., 345 - 05489-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil)

ABSTRACT

Routine oxygen consumption of krill was investigated as a general measure of its metabolism and assesses the effects of body size, temperature and starvation on the metabolism. No significant difference in whole animal consllmption was detected after 1,3,5 and 7 days of starvation. The response of metabolism of krill to temperature shows a zone of independence, from 0 to 1Â°C in which the temperature exerts no effect on metabolism. From 1 to 4Â°C the metabolism increases rapidly in function of temperature. There was a general increase in oxygen consumption with increasing body wet weight. The equation 'between consumption and wet weight is given by Log Q₀₂ = 2.061+ 0.987xLogW, with r = 0.86. The slope of the regression line b=0.987 is less than unity, indicating that oxygen consllmption per unit weight is greater for the smaller than for the larger krill. Average metabolic rate at OÂ°C of 164 krill is 733.24 l, µlO₂g(dry wt)^-1h^-1. The metabolic rate is of 1129.67 J- µlO₂g(dry wt)^-1h^-1 for small krill (13-19 mg dry weight) and 636.16 J- µlO₂g(dry wt)^-1h^-1 for larger animais (160-169 mg dry weight). The metabÃ¼lism ofkrill is shown to be related to period of adaptation and types of respirometer. Prolonged adaptation period showed adverse effect on metabolism and average oxygen consumption is almost three times higher in respirometers with stirring device than in simple sealed chambers.

Descriptors: Oxygen consumption, Krill, Metabolism, Antarctica, Euphaus;a superba, Temperature, Starvation.

RESUMO

O consumo de oxigênio de rotina de krll foi avaliado como uma forma de mensurar seu metabolismo e determinar os efeitos do tamanho, da temperatura e do jejum sobre o mesmo. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas no consumo total do animal após 1, 3, 5 e 7 dias de jejum. As respostas do metabolismo de krill em função da variação da temperatura demonstraram a existência de uma faixa de independência, de O°Ca 1°C, na qual a temperatura não exerce nenhum efeito sobre o metabolismo. De 1°C a 4°C o metabolismo aumenta rapidamente em função da temperatura. Houve um aumento significativo no consumo de oxigênio em função do peso. A equação que relaciona o consumo com o peso úmido é dada pela fórmula Log Q_oz = 2,061 + 0,987x LogW, com r=0,86. A declividade da regressão foi menor que a unidade (b= 0.987), indicando que o consumo de oxigênio por unidade de peso é maior em animais menores. A média da taxa metabólica de 164 krill a O°Cé 733,24 J- µlO₂g (peso seco)^-1 h^-1. A taxa metabólica é de 1129,67 J- µlO₂g (peso seco)^-1 h^-1 para animais pequenos (13 a 19 mg de peso seco) e 636,16 J- µlO₂g (peso seco)^-1 h^-1 para animais maiores (160 a 169 mg de peso seco). Demonstrou-se que o metabolismo do krill está relacionado ao período de adaptação e ao tipo de respirômetro. Períodos prolongados de adaptação ocasionaram efeitos adversos sobre o metabolismo. A média do consumo de oxigênio foi cerca de 3 vezes mais elevada em respirômetros com agitador do que em câmaras seladas simples.

Descritores: Consumo de oxigênio, Krill, Metabolismo, Antártica, Euphaus;a superba, Temperatura, Jejum.

Full text available only in PDF format.

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Acknowledgments

We thank CNPq-PROANT AR, IOUSP for financial, SECIRM, and Brazilian Antarctic Station "Comandante Ferraz" for logistical supports. Part of this work was developed under the auspices of Brazilian-Germany Cooperation (MCT-CNPq/IOUSP/BAH, ANT-4).

(Manuscript received 17 Apri/ 1997; revised 02 July 1997, accepted 26 August 1997)

Aarset, A. V. & Torres, T. 1989. Cold resistance and metabolic responses to salinity variations in the Amphipod Eusirus antarcticus and the krill Euphausia superba. Polar Biol., 9:491-497.
Boyd, C. M.; Heyraud, M. & Boyd, C. N. 1984. Feeding of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. J. Crust. Biol., 4 (Spec. nÂş1):123-141.
Chekunova, V. I. & Rynkova, T. I. 1974. Energy requirements of the Antarctic crustacean Euphausia superba Dana. Oceanology, 14:434-440.
Clarke, A. & Morris, D. J. 1983. Towards an energy budget for krill. The physiology and biochemistry of Euphausia superba Dana. Polar Biol., 2:69-86.
Fox, H. M. and Wingfield, C. A. 1938. A portable apparatus for the determination of oxygen dissolved in a small volume of water. J. expl. Biol., 15:437-445.
Fry, F. E. J. 1971. The effect of environmental factors on the physiology of fish. In: Hoar, W. S. and Randall, D. J., eds. Fish Physiology. New York and London, Academic Press. p. 1-98.
Hempel, I. 1985. Vertical distribution of larvae of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba In: Siegfried, W. R.; Condy, P. R. & Law, R. M., eds. Antarctic nutrient cycles and food webs. Berlin, Springer-Verlag. p. 308-310.
Hirche, H. J. 1983. Excretion and respiration of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Polar Biol., 1:205-209.
Holeton, G. F. 1974. Metabolic cold adaptation of polar fish: Fact or artifact? Physiol Zool., 47:137-152.
Holeton, G. F. 1983. Respiration of arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from a high arctic lake. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can., 30:717-723.
Ikeda, T. & Mitchell, A. W. 1982a. Oxygen uptake, ammonia excretion and phosphate excretion by krill and other Antarctic zooplankton in relation to their body size and chemical composition. Mar. Biol., 71 :283-298.
Ikeda, T. & Mitchell, A. W. 1982b. Body shrinkage as a possible over-wintering mechanism of the Antartic krill, Euphausia superba Dana. J. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 62:143-151.
Kils, U. 1979a. Preliminary data on volume, density and cross section area of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Meeresforsch., 27:207-209.
Kils, U. I 979b. Performance of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba at different levels of oxygen saturation.Meeresforsch.,27:35-48.
Klekowski, R. Z.; Opalinski, K. W. & Maklygin, L. G. 1991. Respiratory metabolism of Euphausia superba: the effect of gonadial development. In: Klekowski, R. Z. & Opalinski, K. W., eds First Polish-Soviet Antartic Syrriposium "ARCTOWSKI'85". Poland, Polish Academy of Sciences, p. 109-117.
Luxmoore, R. A. 1981. The ecology of Antarctic serolid isopods. PhD Thesis. Council for National Academic Awards. 231p.
Luxmoore, R. A. 1984. A comparison of the respiration rate of some Antarctic isopods with species from lower latitudes. Br. Antarct. Surv. Bull., 62:53-65.
Marschall, H. P. 1983. Sinking speed, density and size of euphausiid eggs. Meeresforsh., 30:1-9.
McWhinnie, M. A. & Marciniak, P. 1964. Temperature responses and tissue respiration in Antarctic crustacea with particular reference to krill Euphausia superba. In: Lee, M. O. ed. Biology of the Antarctic sea. Antarctic. Res. Ser., 4:63-72.
Miller, D. G. M. & Hampton, I. 1989. Biology and ecology of the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana): A review. BIOMASS Scientific Series nÂş 9. 166p.
Morris, D. J. 1984.. Filtration rates in Euphausia superba: under or over estimates? J. Crust. Biol., 4 (Spec. NÂş I): 185-197.
Opalinski, W. K. 1991. Respiratory metabolism and metabolic adaptations of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Pol. Archs Hydrobio\., 38: 183-263.
Patterson, M. R. 1992. A mass transfer explanation of metabolic scaling relations in some aquatic invertebrate and algae. Science, 255:1421-1423.
Quetin, L. B. & Ross, R. M. 1984. Depth distribution of developing Euphausia superba embryos, predicted from sinking rates. Mar. Bio\., 79:47-53.
Quetin, L. B. & Ross, R. M. 1989. Effects of oxygen, temperature and age on the metabolic rate of the embryos and early larval stages of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana. J. exp\. mar. Bio\. Eco\., 125:43-62.
Rakusa-Suszczewski, S. & Opalinski, K. W. 1978. Oxygen consumption in Euphausia superba. Pol. Archs Hydrobiol., 25:633-641.
Segawa, S.; Kato, M. & Marano, M. 1979. Oxygen consumption of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Trans. Tokyo Univ. Fish., 5:177-187.
Torres, J. J.; Aarset, A. V.; Donnelly, J.; Hopkins, T. L.; Lancraft, T. M. & Ainley, D.G. 1994. Metabolism of Antarctic micronektonic Crustacea as a function of depth of occurrence and season. Mar. Ecol.-Prog. Ser., 113:207-219.
von Bröckel, K. 1981. The importance of nanoplankton within the pelagic Antarctic ecosystem. Kieler Meeresforsch., 5 :61-67.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
22 Apr 2013
Date of issue
1997

History

Received
17 Apr 1997
Reviewed
02 July 1997
Accepted
26 Aug 1997

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

[1] Aarset, A. V. & Torres, T. 1989. Cold resistance and metabolic responses to salinity variations in the Amphipod Eusirus antarcticus and the krill Euphausia superba. Polar Biol., 9:491-497.

[2] Boyd, C. M.; Heyraud, M. & Boyd, C. N. 1984. Feeding of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. J. Crust. Biol., 4 (Spec. nÂş1):123-141.

[3] Chekunova, V. I. & Rynkova, T. I. 1974. Energy requirements of the Antarctic crustacean Euphausia superba Dana. Oceanology, 14:434-440.

[4] Clarke, A. & Morris, D. J. 1983. Towards an energy budget for krill. The physiology and biochemistry of Euphausia superba Dana. Polar Biol., 2:69-86.

[5] Fox, H. M. and Wingfield, C. A. 1938. A portable apparatus for the determination of oxygen dissolved in a small volume of water. J. expl. Biol., 15:437-445.

[6] Fry, F. E. J. 1971. The effect of environmental factors on the physiology of fish. In: Hoar, W. S. and Randall, D. J., eds. Fish Physiology. New York and London, Academic Press. p. 1-98.

[7] Hempel, I. 1985. Vertical distribution of larvae of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba In: Siegfried, W. R.; Condy, P. R. & Law, R. M., eds. Antarctic nutrient cycles and food webs. Berlin, Springer-Verlag. p. 308-310.

[8] Hirche, H. J. 1983. Excretion and respiration of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Polar Biol., 1:205-209.

[9] Holeton, G. F. 1974. Metabolic cold adaptation of polar fish: Fact or artifact? Physiol Zool., 47:137-152.

[10] Holeton, G. F. 1983. Respiration of arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from a high arctic lake. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can., 30:717-723.

[11] Ikeda, T. & Mitchell, A. W. 1982a. Oxygen uptake, ammonia excretion and phosphate excretion by krill and other Antarctic zooplankton in relation to their body size and chemical composition. Mar. Biol., 71 :283-298.

[12] Ikeda, T. & Mitchell, A. W. 1982b. Body shrinkage as a possible over-wintering mechanism of the Antartic krill, Euphausia superba Dana. J. expl. mar. Biol. Ecol., 62:143-151.

[13] Kils, U. 1979a. Preliminary data on volume, density and cross section area of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Meeresforsch., 27:207-209.

[14] Kils, U. I 979b. Performance of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba at different levels of oxygen saturation.Meeresforsch.,27:35-48.

[15] Klekowski, R. Z.; Opalinski, K. W. & Maklygin, L. G. 1991. Respiratory metabolism of Euphausia superba: the effect of gonadial development. In: Klekowski, R. Z. & Opalinski, K. W., eds First Polish-Soviet Antartic Syrriposium "ARCTOWSKI'85". Poland, Polish Academy of Sciences, p. 109-117.

[16] Luxmoore, R. A. 1981. The ecology of Antarctic serolid isopods. PhD Thesis. Council for National Academic Awards. 231p.

[17] Luxmoore, R. A. 1984. A comparison of the respiration rate of some Antarctic isopods with species from lower latitudes. Br. Antarct. Surv. Bull., 62:53-65.

[18] Marschall, H. P. 1983. Sinking speed, density and size of euphausiid eggs. Meeresforsh., 30:1-9.

[19] McWhinnie, M. A. & Marciniak, P. 1964. Temperature responses and tissue respiration in Antarctic crustacea with particular reference to krill Euphausia superba. In: Lee, M. O. ed. Biology of the Antarctic sea. Antarctic. Res. Ser., 4:63-72.

[20] Miller, D. G. M. & Hampton, I. 1989. Biology and ecology of the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana): A review. BIOMASS Scientific Series nÂş 9. 166p.

[21] Morris, D. J. 1984.. Filtration rates in Euphausia superba: under or over estimates? J. Crust. Biol., 4 (Spec. NÂş I): 185-197.

[22] Opalinski, W. K. 1991. Respiratory metabolism and metabolic adaptations of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Pol. Archs Hydrobio\., 38: 183-263.

[23] Patterson, M. R. 1992. A mass transfer explanation of metabolic scaling relations in some aquatic invertebrate and algae. Science, 255:1421-1423.

[24] Quetin, L. B. & Ross, R. M. 1984. Depth distribution of developing Euphausia superba embryos, predicted from sinking rates. Mar. Bio\., 79:47-53.

[25] Quetin, L. B. & Ross, R. M. 1989. Effects of oxygen, temperature and age on the metabolic rate of the embryos and early larval stages of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana. J. exp\. mar. Bio\. Eco\., 125:43-62.

[26] Rakusa-Suszczewski, S. & Opalinski, K. W. 1978. Oxygen consumption in Euphausia superba. Pol. Archs Hydrobiol., 25:633-641.

[27] Segawa, S.; Kato, M. & Marano, M. 1979. Oxygen consumption of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Trans. Tokyo Univ. Fish., 5:177-187.

[28] Torres, J. J.; Aarset, A. V.; Donnelly, J.; Hopkins, T. L.; Lancraft, T. M. & Ainley, D.G. 1994. Metabolism of Antarctic micronektonic Crustacea as a function of depth of occurrence and season. Mar. Ecol.-Prog. Ser., 113:207-219.

[29] von Bröckel, K. 1981. The importance of nanoplankton within the pelagic Antarctic ecosystem. Kieler Meeresforsch., 5 :61-67.