Effects of temperature and pH on the oxygen consumption Rate of sudanonautes (Convexonautes aubryi) floweri (de man) (crustacea: decapoda)

Abstract

The oxygen consumption rate of a freshwatersub-terrestrial crab, Sudanonautes floweri in relation to different temperatures and pHwas investigated. The average temperatureand pH of the crab\'s peaty stream habitat were 29.5⁰C and 7.5 respectively. The lethal temperatures at pH 7.0 recorded for the species were 14.5⁰C and 34.5⁰C respectively. The oxygen consumption rate (Q) within the temperature range of 210C – 310C increased with temperature but decreased in the zones of temperature stress (≤ 160C and ≥ 310C). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between weight specific oxygen consumption (QW-1) of the male and female crabs. The oxygen consumption rate was positively correlated with the body weight of the crabs (r = 1.0); but was inversely related to the unit weight of the crab per hour (r = -0.95). The average oxygen consumption of the animal at 30 0C and pH 7.0 was 53.1 μg O2 g-1 h-1.

Keywords: Temperature, pH, Oxygen consumption, Sudanonautes floweri

Animal Research International Vol. 1 (1) 2004: pp. 16-22