The bioenergetic costs of specific dynamic action and ammonia excretion in a freshwater predatory leech Nephelopsis obscura.
The energy utilized by the predatory freshwater leech for specific dynamic action (SDA) and exogenous excretion, and the proportion of absorbed energy available for growth and/or activity were determined at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 degrees C. SDA and exogenous ammonia excretion increased with increases in temperature to 20 degrees C but decreased at 25 degrees C. The duration of SDA decreased from 19 hr at 5 degrees C to 11 hr at 25 degrees C, while the duration of exogenous excretion decreased from 22 hr at 5 degrees C to 11 hr at 25 degrees C. The proportion of absorbed energy utilized for SDA and exogenous excretion decreased from 5 degrees C to 15 degrees C and increased at 25 degrees C; however the energy available for growth and activity increased from 7.4 J/day at 5 degrees C to a maximum of 32.6 J/day at 15 degrees C, decreasing to 12.7 J/day at 25 degrees C.
Kalarani
V
V
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Davies
R W
RW
D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005618:Fresh Water; D007865:Leeches / Q000378:metabolism*; D009093:Mucus / Q000737:chemistry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature
D000641:Ammonia