Abstract
The thermoregulatory behavior of sea hare Aplysia californica was determined in a horizontal thermal gradient; with a preferred temperature (PT) of 18.3°C for the day cycle and 20.8°C for the night cycle. The displacement velocity demonstrated an initial rate of 30 cm·hˉ1 and gradually the velocity diminished to 18 cm·hˉ1 with several fluctuations mainly at 02:00 am. Critical Temperature Maxima (CTMax refers to the temperature point where at least 50% of the experimental group have a loss of attachment) was measured at three acclimation temperatures (16°C, 19°C and 22°C). At the lowest acclimation temperature (16°C), 50% of the experimental group had an attachment loss at CTMax 32.7°C, and in a higher acclimation temperature (22°C) CTMax was 36.2°C. The Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) was closely correlated to acclimation temperature, and at 16°C and 19°C sea hare had a relatively stable metabolic rate, with OCR increasing to 9 mg O2 hˉ1·kgˉ1 w.w. in a higher acclimation temperature.
Highlights
In the case of ectothermic organisms the growth rate is temperature-dependent
Aplysia californica is found between Oregon and the Gulf of California, and Aplysia vaccaria is extended from California to the Gulf of California [7]. [8] found only one specimen of Aplysia californica in Las Conchas Ecuador. [3,4,9] varied on the following factors such as temperature, food or stocking density in A. californica, maintained in laboratory conditions, while keeping the others constant; these studies demonstrated that each factor had a strong effect on growth rate and size at sexual maturity
The aim of this study is to know in Aplysia californica, the preferred temperature in which it can be correlated to the optimal growth, the effect of critical temperature in order to know its thermal tolerance, and in which temperature it has its best metabolic response
Summary
In the case of ectothermic organisms the growth rate is temperature-dependent. Several laboratory studies of A. [3,4,9] varied on the following factors such as temperature, food or stocking density in A. californica, maintained in laboratory conditions, while keeping the others constant; these studies demonstrated that each factor had a strong effect on growth rate and size at sexual maturity. [5] correlated that rearing temperatures would influence the growth rate and longevity at which A. californica becomes sexually mature in the laboratory. The aim of this study is to know in Aplysia californica, the preferred temperature in which it can be correlated to the optimal growth, the effect of critical temperature in order to know its thermal tolerance, and in which temperature it has its best metabolic response
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