Respiration and Activity of Arctic and Antarctic Fish
with Different Modes of Life: A Multivariate Analysis
of Experimental Data
1
1~
Christopher Zimmermann and Gerd Hubold
Ilnstitut flir Polarokologie der Universitat Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Geb. 12,
24148 Kiel, Germany,
2Institut flir Seefischerei, Bundesforschungsanstalt flir Fischerei, Palrnaille 9,
22767 Hamburg, Germany
Introduction
Traditionally, polar fishes have been considered to be restricted in their
physiological performance by low water temperatures [1]. This restriction
could even limit the types of life style in polar seas [2]. However, detailed
ecological investigations based on in situ and long term aquarium
observations show a surprisingly wide scope of life types and behavioral
patterns for polar ocean fishes [3-8]. In today's fish fauna of both polar
seas all ecotypes are present, except for scombrid-like forms [9].
Uncertainties persist about the metabolic performance potential of polar
fishes. Following the expected respiration trend of temperature, ectotherm
organisms should all display an extremely low metabolism at polar
temperatures [10], which ought to result in limited activity and
physiological performance. Early results of Scholander et al. [11] and
Wohlschlag [12] found elevated respiration rates in polar fish species,
which was in accordance with Krogh's [10] suggestions, and developed
the concept of a "Metabolic Cold Adaptation" (MCA). More sophisticated
experimental conditions (i.e. the consideration of handling stress [1] and
spontaneous activity [13]) rendered lower oxygen consumption values
which led to a rejection of the MCA concept [1, 14-15]. However, oxygen
consumption rates even within one species yielded contradictory results,
which can be attributed to the various experimental set-ups used (see [16]
for a review). In most cases, no account was made for the ecological
profile of the respective species nor for its spontaneous activity. In order to
resolve the persistent controversy, it is essential to investigate a wide
spectrum of fish ecotypes with a standardized method. Furthermore, means
to account for spontaneous activity have to be developed to exclude
G. di Prisco, E. Pisano, A. Clarke (Eds)
Fishes of Antarctica. A biological overview
© Springer-Verlag Italia 1998
with Different Modes of Life: A Multivariate Analysis
of Experimental Data
1
1~
Christopher Zimmermann and Gerd Hubold
Ilnstitut flir Polarokologie der Universitat Kiel, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Geb. 12,
24148 Kiel, Germany,
2Institut flir Seefischerei, Bundesforschungsanstalt flir Fischerei, Palrnaille 9,
22767 Hamburg, Germany
Introduction
Traditionally, polar fishes have been considered to be restricted in their
physiological performance by low water temperatures [1]. This restriction
could even limit the types of life style in polar seas [2]. However, detailed
ecological investigations based on in situ and long term aquarium
observations show a surprisingly wide scope of life types and behavioral
patterns for polar ocean fishes [3-8]. In today's fish fauna of both polar
seas all ecotypes are present, except for scombrid-like forms [9].
Uncertainties persist about the metabolic performance potential of polar
fishes. Following the expected respiration trend of temperature, ectotherm
organisms should all display an extremely low metabolism at polar
temperatures [10], which ought to result in limited activity and
physiological performance. Early results of Scholander et al. [11] and
Wohlschlag [12] found elevated respiration rates in polar fish species,
which was in accordance with Krogh's [10] suggestions, and developed
the concept of a "Metabolic Cold Adaptation" (MCA). More sophisticated
experimental conditions (i.e. the consideration of handling stress [1] and
spontaneous activity [13]) rendered lower oxygen consumption values
which led to a rejection of the MCA concept [1, 14-15]. However, oxygen
consumption rates even within one species yielded contradictory results,
which can be attributed to the various experimental set-ups used (see [16]
for a review). In most cases, no account was made for the ecological
profile of the respective species nor for its spontaneous activity. In order to
resolve the persistent controversy, it is essential to investigate a wide
spectrum of fish ecotypes with a standardized method. Furthermore, means
to account for spontaneous activity have to be developed to exclude
G. di Prisco, E. Pisano, A. Clarke (Eds)
Fishes of Antarctica. A biological overview
© Springer-Verlag Italia 1998