CONTRIBUTIONS OF AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC ENERGY-PRODUCTION DURING SWIMMING IN THE BIVALVE MOLLUSK LIMARIA-FRAGILIS (FAMILY LIMIDAE)

Oxygen consumption rates ((Formula presented.)) and a number of possible anaerobic end products were determined for Limaria fragilis at rest, and following active swimming. (Formula presented.) increased up to 8-fold (=4) during swimming. Swimming did not change the concentrations of l-lactate, alanine or arginine phosphate in the single striated fast adductor muscle. Octopine, succinate and d-lactate were not detected in the adductor muscles of resting or active animals (<0.2 μmoles/g wet weight). It is concluded that the slow sustained swimming displayed by Limaria utilises predominantly aerobic mechanisms of ATP production. © 1979, Springer-Verlag. All rights reserved.