Oxygen Consumption in the American Oyster Crassostrea virginica

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Abstract
Acclimated and acute rates of O2 consumption [VO2] of the American oyster C. virginica (Gmelin) were measured under 9 salinity[s]-temperature combinations during declining O2 tensions. In acclimated and non-acclimated individuals the basal rate of O2 uptake increased significantly with each 10.degree. C rise in temperature. Multiple regression equations relating exposure and experimental temperatures and S to .ovrhdot.VO2 indicated that as acclimation salinity decreased, the effect of exposure temperature became more pronounced; as acclimation S decreased, the effect of exposure S decreased; as acclimation temperature increased, the effect of exposure S decreased and as acclimation temperature increased, the effect of exposure temperature increased. There is little or no evidence for temperature acclimation even after 3 wk. Q10 values for warm acclimated oysters were generally higher than those of cold adapted oysters with the exception of individuals acclimated at a S of 7.permill. and exposed to 28.permill. S. At any experimental S the highest Q10 values were observed between 20 and 30.degree. C. C. virginica is well able to regulate .ovrhdot.VO2 when exposed to declining O2 tensions at all temperature-S combinations tested; this capacity decreased considerably at all test temperatures in oysters acclimated to 7.permill. S. There was no clear pattern of response between exposure conditions and ability to regulate .ovrhdot.VO2; the degree of regulation decreases with increasing temperature and/or decreasing S. The respiratory physiology of C. virginica is highly adapted to life in a fluctuating environment.

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