Electron transport system activity and oxygen consumption of two amphibious isopods, epigean Ligia italica Fabricius and hypogean Titanethes albus (Koch), in air and water

Electron transport system (ETS) activity and oxygen consumption (i.e. respiration, R) were measured in two amphibious isopods, epigean Ligia italica and hypogean Titanethes albus. The measurements were made in air and in water to estimate the exploitation of metabolic potential for actual metabolism in the two media. Oxygen consumption was measured in animals in air before their transfer to water, in water and again after their transfer back to air. Both species showed greater oxygen consumption during submergence in water than in air. Although epigean L. italica had higher oxygen consumption and ETS activity than hypogean T. albus, both species exhibited high and variable ETS/R ratios. A high and variable ETS/R ratio is one of the characteristics of amphibious isopods that enables them to cope with specific environmental conditions in their habitats.

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