Thermal optima in the hypoxia tolerance of marine ectotherms: Physiological causes and biogeographic consequences.

ABSTRACT: The minimum O2 needed to fuel the demand of aquatic animals is commonly observed to increase with temperature, driven by accelerating metabolism. However, recent measurements of critical O2 thresholds ("Pcrit") reveal more complex patterns, including those with a minimum at an intermediate thermal "optimum". To discern the prevalence, physiological drivers, and biogeographic manifestations of such curves, we analyze new experimental and biogeographic data using a general dynamic model of aquatic water breathers. The model simulates the transfer of oxygen from ambient water through a boundary layer and into animal tissues driven by temperature-dependent rates of metabolism, diffusive gas exchange, and ventilatory and circulatory systems with O2-protein binding. We find that a thermal optimu

SUBMITTER: Endress MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10790991 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature