A review of the effects of temperature on the oxygen consumption of intertidal gastropods

A multiple regression analysis has been used to relate oxygen consumption, body weight, and temperature, for 8 species of gill-bearing intertidal gastropods. Using a standard sized animal, the oxygen consumption of the snails in sea water at each temperature is very similar and the analysis gives a Q 10 of 2.1. In air the mid and high shore species have similar rates of oxygen consumption to those in water and a Q 10 of 2.2. The low shore species show lower values for both aerial oxygen consumption and Q 10. Similar patterns have been found in a further 20 species.