The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 195-207 195 © 2003 The Company of Biologists Ltd doi:10.1242/jeb.00054 Metabolic plasticity and critical temperatures for aerobic scope in a eurythermal marine invertebrate (Littorina saxatilis, Gastropoda: Littorinidae) from different latitudes Inna M. Sokolova* and Hans-Otto Pörtner Lab. Ecophysiology and Ecotoxicology, Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Columbusstr., 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany *Author for correspondence at present address: Biology Dept, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA (e-mail:
[email protected]) Accepted 26 September 2002 Summary Effects of latitudinal cold adaptation and cold a discrepancy between energy demand and energy acclimation on metabolic rates and aerobic scope were production, as demonstrated by a decrease in the levels of studied in the eurythermal marine gastropod Littorina high-energy phosphates [phosho-L-arginine (PLA) and saxatilis from temperate North Sea and sub-arctic White ATP], and resulted in the onset of anaerobiosis at Sea areas. Animals were acclimated for 6–8 weeks at critically high temperatures, indicating a limitation of control temperature (13°C) or at 4°C, and their aerobic scope. The comparison of aerobic and anaerobic respiration rates were measured during acute metabolic rates in L. saxatilis in air and water suggests temperature change (1–1.5°C h–1) in a range between 0°C that the heat-induced onset of anaerobiosis is due to the and 32°C. In parallel, the accumulation of anaerobic end insufficient oxygen supply to tissues at high temperatures. products and changes in energy status were monitored.