Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relative contributions of anaerobic and aerobic energy production during activity in amphibia

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Measurements of oxygen consumption and lactate production during activity were made in three species of amphibians. Oxygen debts and rates of lactate removal were also studied.

  2. 2.

    Maximal values of oxygen consumption are 200 and 500% above resting levels in the plethodontid salamanderBatrachoseps attenuatus and the frogHyla regilla, respectively (Kg. 1). However, these values are not attained until 5–15 min after the cessation of activity.

  3. 3.

    Batrachoseps, a lungless animal, derives 25 times more energy during 2 min of activity from lactate production than from oxygen consumption.Hyla is also predominantly anaerobic during activity butBufo boreas is mainly aerobic.

  4. 4.

    An inverse relationship exists between aerobic and anaerobic scopes in amphibians, such that total energetic output during activity is similar even though the component factors may differ by ten-fold.

  5. 5.

    Oxygen debts inHyla andBatrachoseps after 2-min activity are repayed in approximately one hour but rates of lactate removal are much lower (Fig. 2); large amounts of lactate persist long after oxygen consumption has returned to resting levels. Oxygen debt, therefore, cannot be used as an estimate of energetic expenditure during activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bennett, A. F.: Blood physiology and oxygen transport during activity in two lizards,Varanus gouldii andSauromalus hispidus. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.46A, 673–690 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. F., Dawson, W. R.: Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during activity in the lizardDipsosaurus dorsalis. J. comp. Physiol.81, 289–299 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. F., Dawson, W. R.: Metabolism. In: Biology of the Reptilia. Physiology A, vol. 5, ed. C. Gans. New York: Academic Press, in press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. F., Licht, P.: Anaerobic metabolism during activity in lizards. J. comp. Physiol.81, 277–288 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, A. F., Licht, P.: Anaerobic metabolism during activity in amphibians. comp. Biochem. Physiol., in press (1974)

  • Bennett, A. F., Wake, M.: Metabolic correlates of activity in the caecilianGeotrypetes seraohinii. Copeia1974, in press (1974)

  • Black, E. C., Robertson, A. C., Parker, R. R.: Some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in fish, p. 89–124. In: Comparative physiology of carbohydrate metabolism in heterothermic animals, ed. A. W. Martin. Seattle: University of Washington Press 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, J. R.: The metabolic demand for oxygen in fish, particularly salmonids, and a comparison with other vertebrates. Resp. Physiol.14, 151–170 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, G. A., Hittelman, K. J., Faulkner, J. A., Beyer, R. E.: Temperature, skeletal muscle mitochondrial functions, and oxygen debt. Amer. J. Physiol.220, 1053–1059 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, G. A., Hittelman, K. J., Faulkner, J. A., Beyer, R. E.: Tissue temperatures and whole-animal oxygen consumption after exercise. Amer. J. Physiol.221, 427–431 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buddenbrook, W. von: What physiological problems are of interest to the marine biologist in his studies of the most important species of fish? II. Beobachtungen über das Sterben gefangener Seefische und über den Milchsäuregehalt des Fischblutes. Int. Coun. Explor. sea, Rapp. Proc.-Verb.101, 3–7 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerretelli, P., di Prampero, P. E., Ambrosoli, G.: High-energy phosphate resynthesis from anaerobic glycolysis in frog gastroonemius muscle. Amer. J. Physiol.222, 1021–1026 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fry, F. E. J.: Effects of the environment on animal activity. Pub. Ont. Fish. Res. Lab. No.68, 1–62 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, A. G., Pritchard, A. W.: Changes in the metabolic rate and blood lactic acid of bluegill sunfish,Lepomis macrochirus, Raf. following severe muscular activity. Physiol. Zool.35, 323–329 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison, V. H., Whitford, W. G., Kohl, M.: Relation of body size and surface area to gas exchange in anurans. Physiol. Zool.41, 65–85 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karpovich, P. V.: Physiology of muscular activity, 5th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co. 1959

    Google Scholar 

  • Moberly, W. R.: The metabolic responses of the common iguana,Iguana iguana, to activity under restraint. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.27, 1–20 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Secondat, M.: Influence de l'exercice sur la capacité pour l'oxygène du sang de la Carpe (Cyprinuscarpio L.). C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)230, (1950)

  • Seymour, R. S.: Physiological correlates of forced activity and burrowing in the spadefoot toad,Schaphiopus hammondii. Copeia1973, 103–115 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitford, W. G., Hutchison, V. H.: Gas exchange in salamanders. Physiol. Zool.38, 228–242 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitford, W. G., Hutchison, V. H.: Body size and metabolic rate in salamanders. Physiol. Zool.40, 127–133 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California

    Albert F. Bennett & Paul Licht

Authors
  1. Albert F. Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Licht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Support for these studies was provided by a Miller Postdoctoral Fellowship to AFB and NSF Grant GB-35241X to PL. The technical assistance of John Ruben is gratefully acknowledged.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bennett, A.F., Licht, P. Relative contributions of anaerobic and aerobic energy production during activity in amphibia. J. Comp. Physiol. 87, 351–360 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695269

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695269

Keywords

Search

Navigation