Respiration of Abax ater (Coleoptera, Carabidae): a complex parameter of the energy budget

摘要

Respiration of the ground beetle Abax ater was measured in a Gilson respirometer for all developmental stages (except for the eggs), taking as many parameters as possible into account. The standard metabolic rate (SMR) increased exponentially with temperature in the range 5-15oC but no metabolic acclimation to temperature was observed. A single relationship was found between body mass and respiration for all the active stages. Adult males regularly had a SMR slightly higher than did females, but the difference was seldom significant and was explained by differences in body mass. At constant temperature SMR exhibited a daily cycle with two peaks occurring in the first half of the night and in the morning. An annual cycle was exhibited with a maximum in the summer. SMR was double the basal metabolic rate (BMR), and the activity metabolic rate (AMR) of running individuals was two to three times higher than SMR. Respiration increased to double SMR the day after a full meal owing to digestion, and then decreased for three days. The respiratory quotient (RQ) of 0.72 suggested that mainly lipid molecules were oxidised in A. ater respiration. Measurements of respiration by gravimetry were close to BMR. The significant influences of digestion and mobility on respiration was shown.