Discontinuous CO2 Emission in a Small Insect, the Formicine Ant Camponotus Vicixus

Abstract

Standard rates of oxygen consumption (VO₂) and CO₂ production (VCO₂) were measured by constant-volume respirometry in the formicine ant, Camponotus vicinus Mayr, at temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C. Over this range, the Q₁₀ with regard to VO₂ was 1.79, and with regard to VCO₂, 1.84. Multiple regression equations relating VO₂ and VCO₂ of inactive ants to mass (0016–0088g) and temperature were calculated. Periodic CO₂ emissions (‘bursts') were monitored with flow-through respirometry. Burst frequency increased exponentially with temperature (Q₁₀ = 3.05), from 814h⁻¹at 15°C to 81.4h⁻¹ at 35°C, and was not significantly correlated with body mass over the mass range (0041–0086g) investigated. Burst volume, which could be accurately measured in one ant, decreased with temperature (Q₁₀ = 0.61). thus yielding the observed VCO₂ Q₁₀ of 1.84.