GENOME SIZE AND METABOLIC-RATE IN SALAMANDERS

1. The relationship between genome size (C-value) and metabolic rate in salamanders was examined by correlation analyses. 2. The C-values of 48 species of salamanders were determined by flow cytometry measurement of DNA quantity in erythrocyte nuclei; C-values of 88 species were taken from the literature. 3. Standard metabolic rates for salamanders at 5, 15, 20 and 25-degrees-C were taken from the literature. 4. Only at 25-degrees-C is there a robust, significant correlation between C-value and metabolic rate, and the hypothesis of a frugal metabolic strategy and genome size effect on metabolic rates in salamanders is discussed.