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(T/MF180) Body mass and respiration rate in carabid beetles from metal-contaminated and reference areas. Laskowski, Ryszard1, Kramarz, Paulina1, Stone, David2, Tobor, Maria1, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Body mass and respiration rates were studied in four species of carabid beetles from forests and meadows along a metal-contamination gradient. The concentrations of zinc in humus at the five forest study sites ranged from 150 (control site) to 10500 mg kg-1, and in the upper 5 cm of soil from the four meadows ranged from 125 (control site) to 2000 mg kg-1. The sites were also contaminated with cadmium and lead. In populations of the three forest species (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, P. niger and Carabus arvensis) the body mass was higher in metal-polluted sites compared with control populations. However, this effect was non-significant for P. niger. In contrast, the body mass of the meadow-inhabiting P. versicolor was significantly higher in the control population. P. oblongopunctatus from the most polluted site had significantly lower respiration rates (O2 consumption and CO2 production) than those from the next polluted site and the control forest. The respiration rates of C. arvensis from the two most polluted sites were significantly lower than in the control population. Even if significant differences between populations were found in the average energy expenditure (J x h-1 x individual-1) of both species, this effect correlated with the pollution level for P. oblongopunctatus only. The respiratory quotient (RQ) was not different in either species between populations. In contrast, no significant differences between sites in respiration rates or energy expenditure were found in populations of P. niger and P. versicolor. However, the RQ decreased significantly in both species with increasing contamination level. Key words: Carabidae, metals, body mass, respiration |
