The influence of body size and water temperature on metabolism and energy budget in Laternula marilina Reeve.

摘要

Laternula marilina Reeve was held in a simulated natural culture system to measure particular physiological parameters related to its energy budget. The results showed that O2-consumption rate and NH3-excretion rate of the clams were negatively exponentially related with body size (fresh weight) of the clam, while ingestion rate, faeces-excretion rate and growth rate were positively correlated. Almost all these metabolic indicators were positively exponentially related to water temperature. However, the relationship between water temperature and metabolic rate was not as close as that between body size and metabolic rate. It is evident that body size had a greater influence on metabolic rate of the clam than water temperature. At all water temperatures and body sizes, respiration accounted for the largest percentage of the ingested energy (42.5-52.1%). Faeces ranked second (32.0-35.0%), growth third (8.6-23.3%) and urine last (2.4-6.4%). These results closely reflect those from energetic studies on other bivalves..