Métabolisme respiratoire d'Anomalocera patersoni (Copepoda: Pontellidae)

Respiratory rates of Anomalocera patersoni, sampled in a temperate area (Gulf of Marseilles, France), during the cold period, are measured and compared to those of individuals of the same species from subtropical latitudes (South Morocco, Canarian area). Males, females and young stages have been examined to estimate the temperature-metabolism and weight-metabolism relationships as a function of climatic adaptation. Small individuals consume oxygen at a higher rate than large ones; males at a higher rate than females. Optimum temperature ranges are different for subtropical and temperate populations: the upper limit is about 14° to 5°C for Mediterranean, and about 18° to 19°C for subtropical individuals. At 14° and 18°C, a positive linear correlation exists when log respiration is plotted against log dry weight. For the temperature conditions prevailing in a given habitat, the regression coefficients are strongest. A. patersoni appears to be adapted metabolically to the average temperature of its habitat.