Abstract
Although acutely measured rate processes in coelenterates show close correlation with the Van't Hoff Q10 rule and the distribution of many coelenterate groups is correlated with temperature, little is known about coelenterate temperature adaptation. Analysis of lethal temperatures shows that the southern distribution of 3 species of North Atlantic actinians is correlated with their upper lethal temperature. Oxygen consumption data from acute measurements indicate conformity to the Q10 rule. Oxygen consumption data from animals pre-exposed to various temperatures indicate that oxygen consumption is capable of acclimation to temperature. Metridium senile from Massachusetts shows positive acclimation, typical of a poikilotherm partially regulating its metabolic rate in response to temperature change. Two species from Virginia, Haliplanella luciae and Diadumene leucolena, appear to show a reverse pattern. Their response includes encystment and negative adjustment of metabolic rate, showing evasion rather than regulation in response to environmental change. Temperature has a marked effect on parameters of the activity pattern of Diadumene leucolena, but the temperature sensitivity of activity is not correlated with that of oxygen consumption.
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Communicated by G. L. Voss, Miami
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Sassaman, C., Mangum, C.P. Patterns of temperature adaptation in North American Atlantic coastal actinians. Marine Biology 7, 123–130 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354915
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354915