INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, AND WEIGHT ON THE OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION OF A LABORATORY POPULATION OF AMERICAMYSIS-BAHIA (MYSIDACEA)

Although Americamysis bahia is specified by the Environmental Protecti on Agency as a bioassay test species, some of its fundamental biology is not known. This species is available commercially, and is common in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Its oxygen consumption was measured with a Gilson Differential Respirometer at 18 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 22 degrees C, and 24 degrees C and 18, 22, and 26 parts per thousand salinity. Lowest oxygen consumption occurred at the sali nity-temperature (S-T) combination used to culture the aquarium popula tion, 20 degrees C and 22 parts per thousand S. Oxygen consumption rat es increased at other S-T combinations. Data suggest that salinity has a negligible influence on oxygen consumption at the S-T combinations tested.