EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE METABOLIC RATE OF SEA URCHINS

¹ Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
² Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon 97365

1. The metabolic rate-temperature relationship for several species of sea urchins from different habitats has been determined. Rates were determined over a range of temperatures on animals kept in the laboratory for short periods of time ("field-acclimatized" animals).

2. The benthic Allocentrotus fragilis showed rate-temperature independence from 6° to 12°, a range including the habitat temperatures, but dependence (high Q₁₀'s) from 12° to 24°.

3. The relatively subtidal Strongylocentrotus franciscanus showed little rate-temperature independence.

4. The more exposed Strongylocentrotus purpuratus showed rate-temperature independence over a wide range of temperature (12°-21°).

5. The metabolic rate-temperature results for the field-acclimatized urchins appear to be consistent with the temperature fluctuations of their respective habitats.

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