An analysis of respiratory surface area as a limit to activity metabolism in anurans

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Maximal (.ovrhdot.VO2 max) and resting (.ovrhdot.VO2 rest) O2 consumption rates of a variety of anuran amphibians [Rana pipiens, Kenopus laevis, Bufo boreas B. retiformis, B. cognatus, B. alvarius] were measured to evaluate the proportionality between .ovrhdot.VO2 max, .ovrhdot.VO2 rest and mass. Interspecific differences in the slope of the function relating .ovrhdot.VO2 max and body mass were not correlated with differences in respiratory capillary length. Interspecific differences in absolute .ovrhdot.VO2 max were not matched by any interspecific difference in respiratory capillary length. Unilaterally pneumonectomized X. laevis did not show a decline in .ovrhdot.VO2 max proportional to the amount of respiratory surface area removed. Apparently, respiratory surface area does not impose a maximum limit on gas exchange in anuran amphibians.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: