The respiration of the marine isopod Excirolana natalensis (flabellifera; cirolanidae) from an exposed sandy beach

Abstract

1. 1. The active and passive respiration rates of Excirolana natalensis were measured in animals from a coarse-grained, exposed sandy beach on the west coast of South Africa. 2. 2. Weight-specific rates were determined over a range of temperatures. 3. 3. The results obtained indicate a suppression of the rate/temperature curve above 15°C. 4. 4. The reasons for this suppression are discussed in the light of the species' behaviour and environment.