Effects of Photoperiod and Size on the Oxygen Consumption of the Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus Fuscus

Abstract

Three experimental groups of salamanders were acclimated in environmental chambers for 25 days at 10°C to photoperiods of 0 hours, 8 hours, and 16 hours. No significant differences were found in oxygen consumption between males in intergroup comparisons or between the sexes in intragroup comparisons. Females in the 16-hour and 0-hour groups did show significant differences in oxygen consumption. A strong positive correlation was found to exist between oxygen consumption and body weight in all groups.