A new recorder for simultaneously recording the activity and oxygen consumption of small benthic invertebrates

Abstract

Respiration studies of small benthic invertebrates are generally completed without regard to the inclusion of a substrate or the quantification of activity in the experimental chamber. We describe a new activity monitoring system for continuously recording the activity and oxygen consumption of small benthic invertebrates in water with the presence of a substrate. We used the freshwater amphipod Diporeia hoyi to test the new system. Activity rates were significantly higher without sediment than with sediment, and oxygen consumption was directly related to activity. Future invertebrate respiration studies, especially those with infaunal organisms, will benefit from such a system by allowing researchers to determine possible test condition - treatment interactions.