title: Respiratory energy losses related to cell weight and temperature in ciliated protozoa.
abstract: 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. Q10values of 1.15-2.24 were found for four of the species between 8.5-15° C, while in S. teres a Q10of 12.98 occurred between these temperatures. Between 15-20° C T. pyriformis and P. aurelia had Q10values 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, Stirling, UK.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laybourn
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, Stirling, UK.
authors.forename: Bland J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Finlay