Oxygen consumption (MO2) of P. cygnus was measured in intermittent flow respirometers. A log-log relationship with body weight (W) remained constant over the range 15-31°C. MO2 was related to body weight and temperature (7): log10MO2=0.814log10W+0.051T-2.075. In 400-500 g lobsters it showed a strong response to acute temperature changes (23-19-15-11 and 23-27-31°C): log10MO2=0.045 T-2.38. Activity caused a significant (P<0.001) increase in MO2, with the response being modulated by temperature and body weight. Lobsters took 5-8 h to recover from exposure to handling and emersion, the duration of the recovery period being longer at higher temperatures. A nocturnal rhythm to oxygen consumption was evident. There was a large and sustained specific dynamic action, with a peak MO2 of 2.19 times the standard rate occurring 7 h after feeding. MO2 at 23°C was independent of the oxygen tension down to a critical oxygen tension (Pc) of 46.2 Torr, below which MO2 varied directly with the oxygen tension. Pc varied with temperature and activity state. The data allow the design of live-holding systems and practices that provide the oxygen requirements of captive P. cygnus.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Fisheries sciences
Research Field:	Fish physiology and genetics
Objective Division:	Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:	Fisheries - wild caught
Objective Field:	Fisheries - wild caught not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Crear, BJ (Mr Bradley Crear)
UTAS Author:	Forteath, GN (Professor Nigel Forteath)
ID Code:	23039
Year Published:	2001
Web of Science® Times Cited:	15
Deposited By:	TAFI - Marine Research Laboratory
Deposited On:	2001-08-01
Last Modified:	2002-05-10
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