Summary
Respiratory energy losses in five species of ciliated protozoa, Tetrahymena pyriformis Ehrenberg, Vorticella microstoma Ehrenberg, Paramecium aurelia Ehrenberg, Spirostomum teres Claparède and Lachmann and Frontonia leucas Ehrenberg, were investigated at 8.5° C, 15° C and 20° C using Cartesian diver microrespirometry. Q 10 values of 1.15–2.24 were found for four of the species between 8.5–15° C, while in S. teres a Q 10 of 12.98 occurred between these temperatures. Between 15–20° C T. pyriformis and P. aurelia had Q 10 values of 3.73 and 1.56, respectively. Linear double log regressions of oxygen consumption vs. dry weight were derived at each temperature and regression coefficients (b) of 0.2723 (8.5° C), 0.4364 (15° C) and 0.4171 (20° C) were obtained. The results are explained and discussed in relation to previous work on the energetics of ciliated protozoa.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Collins, V.G., Willoughby, L.G.: The distribution of bacteria and fungal spores in Blelham Tarn with particular reference to an experimental overturn. Arch. Mikrobiol. 43, 294–307 (1962)
Curds, C.R.: The role of Protozoa in the activated sludge process. Amer. Zool. 13, 161–169 (1973)
Curds, C.R., Cockburn, A.: Continuous monoxenic culture of Tetrahymena pyriformis. J. gen. Microbiol. 66, 95–108 (1971)
Fenchel, T.: The ecology of marine microbenthos. I. The quantitative importance of ciliates as compared with metazoans in various types of sediment. Ophelia 4, 121–137 (1967)
Fenchel, T.: The ecology of marine microbenthos. IV. Structure and function of the benthic ecosystem. Ophelia 6, 1–182 (1969)
Heal, O.W.: Quantitative studies on soil amoebae. Progress in soil biology (O. Graff, J.E. Satchell, eds.), pp. 120–126. Amsterdam: North Holland 1967
Hemmingsen, A.M.: Energy metabolism as related to body size and respiratory surfaces and its evolution. Rep. Steno. Hosp. (Kbh.) 9, 7–11 (1960)
Klekowski, R.Z.: Cartesian diver microrespirometry for aquatic animals. Pol. Arch. Hydrobiol. 18, 93–114 (1971)
Laybourn, J.E.M.: The energetics of Colpidium campylum Stokes, with a note on the vertical distribution of Ciliophora in the mud of Loch Leven, Kinross. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Stirling (1973)
Layborn, J.: Respiratory energy losses in Stentor coeruleus Ehrenberg (Ciliophora). Oecologia (Berl.) 21, 273–278 (1975)
Laybourn, J.: Energy budgets for Stentor coeruleus Ehrenberg (Ciliophora). Oecologia (Berl.) 22, 431–437 (1976a)
Laybourn, J.: Energy consumption and growth in the suctorian Podophrya fixa Müller. J. Zool. (Lond.) (in press, 1976b)
Linderstrøm-Lang, K.: On the theory of the cartesian diver microrespirometer. C.R. Lab. Carlsberg, Ser. Chim. 24, 18, 333–398 (1943)
McNeill, S., Lawton, J.: Production and respiration in animal populations. Nature (Lond.) 225, 472–474 (1970)
Pace, D.M., Kimura, K.K.: The effect of temperature on the respiration of P. caudatum and P. aurelia. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 24 (3), 173–183 (1944)
Phillipson, J.: The ‘best estimate’ of respiratory metabolism: its applicability to field situations. Pol. Arch. Hydrobiol. 17, 31–41 (1970)
Picken, L.E.R.: The structure of some Protozoan communities. J. Ecol. 25, 368–384 (1937)
Sarojini, R., Nagabhushanam, R.: A comparative study of the respiration of some free-living ciliated protozoa. J. anim. Morph. Physiol. 14, 158–167 (1967)
Scholander, P.F., Claff, C.L., Sveinssen, S.L.: Respiratory studies of single cells. II. Observations on the oxygen consumption in single protozoans. Biol. Bull. 102, 178–184 (1952)
Vernberg, W.B., Coull, B.C.: Respiration of an interstitial ciliate and benthic energy relationships. Oecologia (Berl.) 16, 259–264 (1974)
Webb, M.G., An ecological study of brackish water ciliates. J. anim. Ecol. 25, 148–175 (1956)
Zeuthen, E.: Cartesian diver respirometry. Bull. Mar. Biol. Lab. Woods Hole 98, 2, 139–143 (1960)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Laybourn, J., Finlay, B.J. Respiratory energy losses related to cell weight and temperature in ciliated protozoa. Oecologia 24, 349–355 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381141
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381141