Studies on the respiratory metabolism of Glomeris balcanica (Diplopoda, Glomeridae)

The respiratory activity of the diplopod Glomeris bakanica was examined in order to assess the physiological responses of the animal to the Mediterranean environment. In this attempt, the effects of temperature, duration of acclimation and body mass on the mass specific oxygen consumption of the animal were considered. Mean metabolic rate of the animal is quite low, while Q10 values calculated by means of both Vant' Hoff's and Arrhenius equations are generally lower than those reported for other diplopods. The acclimation response of the animal towards constant temperature conditions is characterized by an acute metabolic rate depression of about 30%, evident within 5 h storage at constant temperature. The above physiological characteristics of G. balcanica are discussed in relation to the adaptive strategies of the animal in a strongly fluctuating environment.