Seasonal aspects of the relationship between temperature and respiration rate in four species of intertidal harpacticoid copepod

Abstract

The respiration rates of four species of harpacticoid copepod, acclimated to winter environmental temperatures were measured over a range of temperatures and the resultant rate: temperature (R : T) curves compared with those determined for the same species acclimated to summer temperatures. In two species the winter and summer R : T response curves showed the same acute metabolic compensation but with a translation and/or rotation of the curve to the right in the summer. In the other species there was less evidence of either a seasonal adjustment in the R : T curve or of acute temperature compensation. The observed differences in respiratory responses to temperature at different seasons are interpreted in the light of what is known of the behaviour, microdistribution, and life-history of the species concerned.