Oxygen consumption rate of the estuarine Psammobiid clam <i>Soletellina diphos </i>(linnaeus) under various Environmental conditions

Abstract

Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of the estuarine clam, Soletellina diphos (Linnaeus) was studied in the laboratory. The OCR was measured against a range of body size and weight, and under conditions of starvation, aerial exposure, temperature and low salinity. The pattern of diurnal rhythm was also investigated. The OCR was found to be inversely related to body size and body weight. It decreased considerably with starvation but, with exposure to atmospheric air, it increased up to 3rd hour and reached to the normal level by the 5th hour. The OCR increased with rise in temperature from 20 ^oC to 35 ^oC. It altered with decrease in salinity as compared to normal salinity (38 ‰), it was highest at 70 % and lowest at 40 % of normal seawater. A distinct diurnal rhythm in OCR was observed in these clams. The OCR was greater around afternoon and at a lowest level around midnight.