Title
The effect of gestational state on oxygen consumption and response to hypoxia in sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna
Author(s)
Timmerman C.M., Chapman L.J.
Published
2003
Publisher
Environmental Biology of Fishes
Abstract
Metabolic activity in livebearing fishes increases with embryonic development so that embryos prior to parturition may have a higher mass-specific oxygen requirement than maternal tissues, temporarily increasing the total routine oxygen requirement of the female. We examined whether females of the livebearing poeciliid Poecilia latipinna (sailfin molly) increase their routine metabolic oxygen consumption during development of their broods. We also quantified effects of gestation on time allocation to aquatic surface respiration (ASR) under [hypoxic conditions. Mass-adjusted routine metabolic rate (RMR) of female mollies showed a significant increase during late gestation. The RMR of males did not differ from females that were in their early or mid stage of gestation, but was lower than females in late gestation. Gestating females spent approximately 27% more time conducting ASR than non-gestating females when exposed to chronic hypoxia (1 mg1-1), further supporting a brood-related increase in oxygen demand. Increased time allocation to ASR may directly affect maternal predation risk in low-oxygen conditions.
Keywords
hypoxia; oxygen consumption; pregnancy; reproduction; tolerance; Cyprinodontiformes; Pisces; Poecilia; Poecilia latipinna; Poeciliidae; Vertebrata; AQUATIC SURFACE RESPIRATION; MATERNAL-FETAL RELATIONSHIP; BARBUS-NEUMAYERI; PAPYRUS SWAMPS; SEBASTES-SCHLEGELI; DISSOLVED-OXYGEN; LIFE-HISTORY; PAGRUS-MAJOR; FISHES; VIVIPARITY
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB12469