Survival of Anaerobic Periods By Two Intertidal Polychaetes, Arenicola Marina (L.) and Owenia Fusiformis Delle Chiaje

Abstract

Measurements of glycogen in the body wall of Arenicola indicate that glycogen is consumed during anaerobic conditions. Estimations of lactate and pyruvate show that neither is accumulated, accounting for the absence of an oxygen debt previously found by other workers, and suggesting that glycogen breakdown leads to other acids. In Owenia most of the glycogen is stored in coelomic cells and these deposits are not drawn upon during anaerobic periods, yet this species can survive long periods without oxygen, apparently by becoming quiescent. Oil content in both species has also been measured, and was found not to fall under anaerobic conditions. It is suggested that survival of anaerobic periods may be mainly due to an ability to suspend normal activity.