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Polar gigantism dictated by oxygen availability
Chapelle, G.; Peck, L.S. (1999). Polar gigantism dictated by oxygen availability. Nature (Lond.) 399(6732): 114-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/20099
In: Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 0028-0836; e-ISSN 1476-4687, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Disorders > Diseases > Growth disorders > Gigantism
    Polar regions
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Chapelle, G., more
  • Peck, L.S.
Abstract
    The tendency of some animals to be larger at higher latitudes ('polar gigantism') has not been explained, although it has often been attributed to low temperature and metabolism. Investigation of gigantism requires widely distributed taxa with extensive species representation at many well-studied sites. We have analysed length data for 1,853 species of benthic amphipod crustaceans from 12 sites worldwide, from polar to tropical and marine (continental shelf) to freshwater environments. We find that maximum potential size (MPS) is limited by oxygen availability.
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