Respiration Rates of Two Midge Species at Different Temperatures

Respiration values for Chironomus n. sp. ranged from 0.11 mm³ O₂ /mg/hr at 5C to 0.44 mm³ O₂. /gm/hr at 25C. The range for Chaoborus punctipennis was from 0.15 mm³ O₂ /mg/hr at 5C to 0.56 mm³ O₂ /mg/hr at 25C. These low respiratory rates allow the two species to withstand low oxygen tensions for extended periods of time. Reflecting this ability, both species attained their greatest numerical and biomass values in the profundal regions of three strip-mine lakes whose lower waters become oxygen depleted during thermal stratification