SREL Reprint #2716

Effect of temperature on metabolic rate of the mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)

Jacqueline D. Litzgus1,2 and William A. Hopkins1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

Abstract: Temperature plays an important role in various aspects of the life history and physiology of ectotherms. We examined the effect of temperature on standard metabolic rate in the mud turtle, Kinosternon subrubrum. We measured CO2 consumption and CO2 production at 20°C and 30°C using a flow through respirometery system. Standard metabolic rate was significantly higher at 30°C (9.25ml O2/h, 6.35ml CO2/h) compared to 20°C (2.10ml O2/h, 1.96ml CO2/h). The Q10 value for O2 was 5.10, and for CO2 was 3.40. Our findings generally agree with those of other studies of metabolism in vertebrate ectotherms.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide production; Kinosternon subrubrum; Oxygen consumption; Q10; RQ; Respiratory quotient; Standard metabolic rate; Temperature; Turtle

SREL Reprint #2716

Litzgus, J. D. and W. A. Hopkins. 2003. Effect of temperature on metabolic rate of the mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum). Journal of Thermal Biology 28:595-600.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).