DIRECT CALORIFIC HEAT EQUIVALENT OF OXYGEN RESPIRATION IN THE EGG OF THE FLOUR BEETLE TRIBOLIUM-CONFUSUM (COLEOPTERA, TENEBRIONIDAE)

1. 1. Directly determined heats of embryogenesis were measured for Tribolium confusum eggs in a microcalorimeter fitted with air exchange, at 30°C. 2. 2. Parallel oxygen uptake measurements were made at 30°C, and combined with the heats to give the Calorific Equivalent of Oxygen Respiration quotient (the C.O.R.). 3. 3. The average C.O.R. values for the eggs in the 70 hr interval before hatch was 3.6 ± 0.2 kcal/l O2. This is somewhat lower than other (e.g. homoiothermic vertebrate) tissue. The C.O.R. increases to large values, in excess of 5 kcal/l O2 after hatch. 4. 4. The specific heat production during embryogenesis was 0.43 × 10-6cal/sec per mg live weight. © 1979.