Physiological Studies on Respiration [Oxygen Consumption, Release and Expenditure] in the Giant African Land Snail Archachatina marginata Swainson

Abstract

Some aspects of the oxygen requirements of Archchatina marginata have been measured using a simple respirometer in relation to body weight, surface area, metabolic rates, energy released, heat produced from the body and energy expenditure.  Measurements of oxygen consumption were taken at 26°C and 32°C and atmospheric pressure of 734 toor and 728 torr respectively for both inactive and active snails.  Snails of lower weights required higher oxygen consumption than larger snails.  Temperature and the physiological state of the body did influence the oxygen uptake which was generally higher than the already known standard of 0.75.  Metabolic rates and energy expenditure were found to decrease with an increase in body weights, while heat produced by the snails remained constant.  Activity generally resulted in oxygen consumption far greater than that of the basal metabolic rate and energy released from food oxidation in active snails increased to a greater value than that for active snails.