A method for long-term measurement of respiration in intertidal fishes during simulated intertidal conditions

Abstract

Aquatic and aerial respiration of the amphibious fishes Lipophrys pholis and Periophthalmus barbarus were examined using a newly designed flow-through respirometer system. The system allowed long-term measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide release during periods of aquatic and aerial respiration. The Mo 2 of L. pholis, measured at 15° C, was 2·1 μmol O2 g–1 h–1 during aquatic and 1·99 μmol O2 g–1 h–1 during aerial exposure. The corresponding values of the Mco2 were 1.67 and 1.59 μmol O2 g–1 h–1 respectively, giving an aquatic respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of 0·80 and an aerial RER of 0·79. The Mo2 of P. barbarus, measured at 28°C, was 4·05 μmol O2 g–1 h–1 during aquatic and 3·44 μmol O2 g–1 h–1 during aerial exposure. The corresponding values of the Mco2 were 3·29 μmol CO2 g–1 h–1 and 2·63 μmol CO2 g–1 h–1 respectively, giving an aquatic RER of 0·81 and an aerial RER of 0·77. While exposed to air for at least 10 h, both species showed no decrease in metabolic rate or carbon dioxide release. The RER of these fishes equalled their respiratory quotient. After re-immersion an increased oxygen consumption, due to the payment of an oxygen debt, could not be detected.