Wilmhoff, C. D.*; McClain, W. R.; Gutzke, W. H. N.: The Effect of Temperature and Stage of Development on Resting Metabolism in an Aquatic Environment
Organisms capable of reducing maintenance costs are able to invest a greater amount of energy into growth, body reserves, and/or reproduction. In ectothermic organisms temperature has repeatedly been demonstrated to affect resting metabolism, an indicator of maintenance costs. Despite this wealth of information, the effect of temperature on resting metabolism in plethodontid salamanders in an aquatic environment has not been examined. The present study examined the resting metabolism of the adult and larvae of the plethodontid salamander, Eurycea junaluska in an aquatic environment across four experimental temperatures (5, 15, 20, and 25OC). Animals were acclimated to 20OC and resting metabolic rates were determined using a closed respirometry system. Adults exhibited a significantly higher resting metabolism at 20OC and 25OC than larvae. There was no statistical difference in resting metabolic rates of larvae between 5OC and 20OC. Resting metabolism in adults exhibited a curvilinear increase with increasing temperature.
