Adaptation of the polychaete worm Scoloplos armiger to hypoxic conditions |
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Authors: | U Schöttler M Grieshaber |
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Institution: | (1) Zoologisches Institut der Universität Münster, Hindenburgplatz 55, D-4400 Münster, Germany;(2) Institut für Zoologie IV der Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-4000 Düsseldorf, Germany |
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Abstract: | The anaerobic metabolism of the intertidal polychaete Scoloplos armiger, its recovery from anaerobiosis and the importance of anaerobic energy production during low tide in the field were investigated. Under anaerobic conditions S. armiger produces energy in the same manner as Arenicola marina, a prototype of an euryoxic invertebrate from the intertidal. Energy is produced from the phosphagen stores and from the breakdown of glycogen to volatile fatty acids, mainly propionate and to a lesser extend acetate. However, S. armiger cannot reduce its energy demand to the same degree as A. marina. This and the relatively small pool of glycogen may be the reason for its only moderate resistance to anoxia. The recovery from anaerobiosis proceeds in S. armiger significantly slower than in A. marina. S. armiger is able to maintain a fully aerobic metabolism down to a PwO
2of ca. 20 torr and even at a PwO
2of 10 torr a partly aerobic metabolism was retained. In the field during low tide S. armiger ascends into the oxidative layer, where it is able to maintain an aerobic metabolism even at parts without remaining puddels on the surface. |
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