Effects of environmental parameters on the oxygen consumption of four marine invertebrates: a comparative factorial study

The oxygen consumption curves of two decapod crustaceans (Palaemon serratus , Penaeus monodon) and two prosobranch molluscs (Trunculariopsis trunculus, Nassarius mutabilis) have been detected in the entire pO(2) interval from 0 to 160 mmHg, under different conditions of temperature and salinity. From the experimental curves, physiological parameters such as the initial oxyg en consumption velocity, the Q(10) values and the oxygen independence indic es have been measured. The latter parameters have been obtained using norma lised plots which allow their better evaluation. The effects of temperature , salinity and oxygen partial pressure on the oxygen-consumption features h ave been studied using a factorial experimental plan which allows measureme nt of the effects of each experimental variable as well as the effects of s ynergistic interactions between different variables.