Respiration rates ofBeroe ovatain the Black Sea.

Metabolic rates of the ctenophoreBeroe ovatawithin the length range from 0.4 mm (newly hatched larvae) to 60 mm were investigated. At 20°? the respiration rates (Q, µg O2 ind.-1 h-1) of individuals with wet weights (W, mg) less than or greater than 100 mg changed according to the equationsQ=0.093W0.62 andQ=0.016W0.99, respectively. The weight-specific respiration rate of the juvenile ctenophores with wet body weights of 0.021-100 mg diminished approximately 20-fold (from 0.35 to 0.017 µg O2mg-1 h-1, respectively), but did not change within the range from 100 to 30,000 mg. The difference in the slope of the regression lines seems to be attributable to the ontogenetic changes inB.ovatametabolism. For the tested temperature range of 10-28°?, the meanQ10 coefficient was equal to 2.17±0.5. The basal metabolism ofB.ovatanarcotised by chloral hydrate was 4.5±0.9 times lower than total metabolism. Such a metabolic range is considered to be characteristic of aquatic invertebrates with high levels of locomotory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]