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Energy consumption and metabolism during starvation in the Arctic hyperiid amphipod Themisto libellula Mandt

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Abstract

When the Arctic hyperiid amphipod Themisto libellula was starved for a month the lipid and energy content decreased. Over the first two weeks 5.50 μg lipid and 0.24 joules were consumed per mg dry weight·d, but rates of lipid and energy consumption decreased by 70–75% during the subsequent two weeks. An individual with maximum lipid reserve could survive for about 168 days without food. Given that lipid is also needed for reproduction in mid-winter, it seems unlikely that animals could overwinter without feeding. Temperatures between 0° and 6° C had only a slight effect (Q10 = 1.61) on the rate of lipid and energy consumption. The effect of temperatures in the normal habitat range on the rate of respiratory metabolism was also small (Q10 = 2.01), but above 5°C the rate increased sharply (Q10 = 6.5). Starvation for 15 days had no significant effect on the animals' metabolic rate.

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  1. Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, Pêches et Océans Canada, 850 route de la Mer, C. P. 1000, G5H 3Z4, Mont-Joli, Québec, Canada

    J. A. Percy

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Percy, J.A. Energy consumption and metabolism during starvation in the Arctic hyperiid amphipod Themisto libellula Mandt. Polar Biol 13, 549–555 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236397

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236397

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