Influence of sex and reproductive condition on metabolic rates in the allegheny mountain salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Abstract

1. 1. Oxygen consumption rates were determined, at acclimation temperatures, for three experimental groups of Desmognathus ochrophaeus (gravid females, non-gravid females and males) acclimated at four photoperiod -temperature régimes: 5°C LD 10 : 14; 5°C LD 14 : 10 ; 15°C LD 10 : 14; and 15°C LD 14 : 10. 2. 2. Differences in standard metabolic rates among gravid females, nongravid females and males within and between photoperiods were not significant at 5°C. Metabolic differences within each experimental group between photoperiods were not significant at 15°C. 3. 3. At 15°C, within both photoperiods, gravid females had significantly higher metabolic rates than those of non-gravid females and males. 4. 4. Metabolic differences between non-gravid females and males were not significant at 15°C.