On the Utilization of Oxygen and Regulation of Breathing in Some Aquatic Animals

The necessity of taking up a sufficient amount of oxygen compels all aquatic, gill-breathing animals to force water along their gills. With a given oxygen intake the number of litres of water passing along the gills per unit of time (the ventilation volume) will be inversely proportional to the amount of oxygen withdrawn from each litre of water (the utilization); if the utilization is high, the ventilation volume must be relatively small. ... Zie: Introduction