STUDIES ON THE RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF GLOMERIS-BALCANICA (DIPLOPODA, GLOMERIDAE)

The respiratory activity of the diplopod Glomeris bakanica was examine d in order to assess the physiological responses of the animal to the Mediterranean environment. In this attempt, the effects of temperature , duration of acclimation and body mass on the mass specific oxygen co nsumption of the animal were considered. Mean metabolic rate of the an imal is quite low, while Q10 values calculated by means of both Vant' Hoff's and Arrhenius equations are generally lower than those reported for other diplopods. The acclimation response of the animal towards c onstant temperature conditions is characterized by an acute metabolic rate depression of about 30%, evident within 5 h storage at constant t emperature. The above physiological characteristics of G. balcanica ar e discussed in relation to the adaptive strategies of the animal in a strongly fluctuating environment.