Oxygen consumption and the respiratory pigment in the fresh-water nemertean, Prostoma rubrum

Abstract

• 1.

  1. The oxygen consumption and respiratory rate of the freshwater nemertean, Prostoma rubrum, were determined at 20°C.

• 2.

  2. The mean respiratory rate for forty-nine specimens was 0·700 μl O₂/mg dry wt. per hour (±0·071).

• 3.

  3. Oxygen consumption varied with the 0·478 power of the body weight.

• 4.

  4. A heme-containing pigments is present which may assist in the respiratory process.