Abstract
The duration of natural intertidal air exposure was determined for a population of Chiton stokesii from the rocky intertidal zone of Naos Island, Panama. On-site measurement indicated that chitons seek protected locations during air exposure and are little affected by increased air temperatures. Construction of an artificial tidal system allowed hemolymph sampling and assessment of physiological compensation of chitons during air exposure in the laboratory. During air exposure chitons showed significant hemoconcentration associated with reduction in heart rate and intracardiac hemolymph pressure. Air exposure was also associated with the buildup of hemolymph Pco2 and the development of significant but largely compensated hemolymph acidosis. No consequent decrease in postbranchial hemolymph oxygenation occurred; indeed, the partial pressure of O2 in postbranchial hemolymph (Pao2) had increased slightly but significantly at 17 h air exposure. This increased oxygenation was not associated with significant change in of O2 uptake (Ṁo2), but this was significantly enhanced following air exposure, which suggests that an O2 debt may have been incurred. This chiton can tolerate air exposure of a duration greater than three times that normally experienced, can maintain O2 consumption in airpossibly by O2 uptake across the air-exposed gills, and appears adapted to exploit rather than simply survive air exposure in its natural intertidal habitat.
Published Version
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