Heart rate as a measure of metabolic rate in teleost fishes; Salmo gairdneri, Salmo trutta and Gadus morhua

Abstract

Measurements of oxygen consumption and heart rate showed that the range of variation in metabolic rate for any given heart rate in fish is too wide for any significant correlation to be used as a measure of metabolism as in some other vertebrates. By defining the maximum oxygen pulse a precise relationship can be established between maximum metabolic rate and heart rate. From field measurements of heart rate by telemetry useful information can be gained on metabolic rates.

Influence of ambient oxygenation and temperature on metabolic scope and scope for heart rate in the common sole Solea solea

“…The relationship between heart rate and metabolism is not straightforward in fish (Thorarensen et al 1996). However, heart rate is liable to provide information about the environmental impact on fish physiological state, thereby widening our understanding of the general relationship between fish and their environment (Priede & Young 1977, Priede & Tytler 1977, Armstrong 1986, Lucas et al 1991. Moreover, heart rate is one of the few correlates to metabolic demand that can be monitored in free-swimming fish using telemetry (Armstrong 1986, Bushnell & Brill 1991, Lucas et al 1991, Sureau & Lagardère 1991, Claireaux et al 1995.…”

Swimming behavior and energetics of sharks

“…Triggered pulse heartbeat transmitter. This was used by Priede and Tytler (1977) to record heart rates from brown trout in a lake . The transmitter uses the QRS wave to trigger individual sound pulses.…”

“…Although this may confound the relation between heart rate and metabolic rate, heart rate may still prove to be a useful indicator of energy expenditure, as demonstrated by Priede and Tytler (1977). They measured heart rate and oxygen consumption in three species of teleosts at different swimming speeds.…”

“…A diel rhythm was observed, with higher heart rates during the day. In a study of heart rate and oxygen consumption in rainbow trout, brown trout, and cod, Priede and Tytler (1977) found that although the range in metabolic rate for a given heart rate was too large to use heart rate as a measure of metabolism, it was possible to estimate the maximum metabolic rate for a given heart rate. Using this information combined with field measurements of heart rates, they concluded that the routine metabolic rate of free-ranging brown trout was not more than 1.…”

The behavioral physiology of labroid fishes

“…Priede and Tytler (1977) noted that in fishes the range in variation in oxygen consumption rate for a given heart rate is too wide for any significant correlation to be made. Therefore, heart rate is not as good a measure of metabolism in fishes as it is in other organisms.…”