Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

On the oxygen consumption of the estuarine mollusc Meretrix meretrix under various conditions.

Volume 21 Issue 1&2

R. S. Deshmukh

Abstract

The oxygen consumption of the clam Meretrix meretrix was studied in relation to temperature, body size, oxygen content of water, low salinity, starvation and low tide. The rate of oxygen consumption increased with the rise in temperature from 21.0° C to 35.0° C. The respiratory rate was found to be inversely related to the body size when calculated on the basis of weight. The oxygen consumption was little altered by the oxygen concentration in the medium between 2.5 ml/1 and 5.0 ml/1. However, at 1.96 ml/1 the rate of oxygen consumption was considerably reduced. There was a decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption with the decrease in salinities between 34.4 %„ and 24.0 %„'and an increase in the rate with further decrease in salinities from 24.0 %„ to 17.2 %„. A distinct decrease in the oxygen consumption was found when the clams were starved in the laboratory for six days. The oxygen consumption was increased in clams when they were exposed to air from 30 minutes to four hours and then returned to original condition.

Date : 31-12-1979