TEMPERATURE-RELATED METABOLISM IN 2 INTERTIDAL SNAILS NERITA-ALBICILLA AND NERITA-CHAMELEON (GASTROPODA NERITACEAE) OF VISAKHAPATNAM COAST/

Temperature related metabolism was studied in two intertidal gastropod s Nerita albicilla and Nerita chamaeleon at 15 degrees. 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees and 35 degrees C. As the temperature increases th ere was an increase in the oxygen consumption in both the species. The re was a fall in oxygen consumption at 35 degrees C in the upper range and at 15 degrees C at the lower range. The Q(10) values (5 degrees C and 10 degrees C interval) were higher for lower range of temperature s and decreased with increasing temperature for both Nerita albicilla and Nerita chamaeleon. The effect of temperature on size related metab olism was also investigated. The regression values(b) at different tem peratures were not significantly different (F-5,45=2.43) (p<0.05) for both the species. The Q(10) values varied with size for Nerita albicil la and Nerita chamaeleon at different temperature ranges. These studie s indicate that both temperature and size have a profound effect on re spiration of both the species.