VARIATION IN THE ACTIVITY OF CITRATE SYNTHASE WITHIN THE PECTORALIS OF THE BARNACLE GOOSE BRANTA LEUCOPSIS

The mass-specific activity of citrate synthase (CS) is often used as a n indicator of the aerobic capacity of the pectoralis muscle. We inves tigated whether there is variation in CS activity within the pectorali s muscle of the Barnacle Goose. In general, no significant variation m as found except at the anterior site nearest the sternum where a signi ficant difference was found between the peripheral and deep sites. We conclude that for comparisons of CS activity within large migratory sp ecies, samples should be taken from the uniform central area of the mu scle, but for intraspecies studies on factors affecting aerobic capaci ty, samples should be taken from the anterior sternal site at differin g depths, as this is the most variable area where adaptations to these factors may occur.