Abstract
The object of this study was to re-examine the quantitative relationship between metabolic rate and life span postulated by the rate of living hypothesis. The metabolic rate of the adult male flies was experimentally altered by varying the level of physical activity and ambient temperature. Lowering of physical activity and ambient temperature increased the life span of the flies. Metabolic rates of flies in all groups declined during older age, however, the relative decrease was greater in the high activity flies as compared to the low activity flies. The total amount of oxygen consumption, till average life span, was nearly equal in the low and high activity flies maintained at the same temperature, but this amount was 12–15% greater in flies maintained at 18°C than at 25°C. The results support the postulates of the rate of living hypothesis. The possible reasons for the differences in the metabolic potentials at different temperatures are discussed.
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Sohal, R.S. Oxygen consumption and life span in the adult male housefly, Musca domestica . AGE 5, 21–24 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431719
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431719