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Vampire blood: respiratory physiology of the vampire squid (Cephalopoda: Vampyromorpha) in relation to the oxygen minimum layer

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Abstract

The functional properties of the haemocyanin ofVampyroteuthis infernalis (Cephalopoda: Vampyromorpha), measured at 5 °C, are reported and discussed in relation to hypoxia. The oxygen affinity of this haemocyanin (P50=0.47−0.55 kPa) is higher than any previously measured for a cephalopod. The high cooperativity (n50=2.20−2.23) and Bohr coefficient (−0.22) suggest a true transport function for this haemocyanin. This high-affinity haemocyanin, in conjunction with moderate gill diffusion capacity, provides a sufficient oxygen gradient from the environment to the blood to support the low routine oxygen consumption rate of V. infernalis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Institute and Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    Brad A. Seibel

  2. Equipe Ecophysiologie, Observatoire Océanologique de Roscoff, UPMC – CNRS-INSU, Station Biologique, BP 74, Roscoff Cedex, F-29682, France

    Fabienne Chausson, Francois H. Lallier, Franck Zal & James J. Childress

Authors
  1. Brad A. Seibel
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  2. Fabienne Chausson
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  3. Francois H. Lallier
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  4. Franck Zal
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  5. James J. Childress
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Correspondence to Francois H. Lallier.

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Seibel, B.A., Chausson, F., Lallier, F.H. et al. Vampire blood: respiratory physiology of the vampire squid (Cephalopoda: Vampyromorpha) in relation to the oxygen minimum layer. EBO 4, 1–10 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00898-999-0001-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00898-999-0001-2

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