Thermopreference, tolerance and metabolic rate of early stages juvenile Octopus maya acclimated to different temperatures

Thermopreference, tolerance and oxygen consumption rates of early juveniles Octopus maya (O. maya; weight range 0.38–0.78 g) were determined after acclimating the octopuses to temperatures (18, 22, 26, and 30 °C) for 20 days. The results indicated a direct relationship between preferred temperature (PT) and acclimated temperature, the PT was 23.4 °C. Critical Thermal Maxima, (CTMax; 31.8±1.2, 32.7±0.9, 34.8±1.4 and 36.5±1.0) and Critical Thermal Minima, (CTMin; 11.6±0.2, 12.8±0.6, 13.7±1.0, 19.00±0.9) increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing acclimation temperatures. The endpoint for CTMax was ink release and for CTMin was tentacles curled, respectively. A thermal tolerance polygon over the range of 18–30 °C resulted in a calculated area of 210.0 °C2. The oxygen consumption rate increased significantly α=0.05 with increasing acclimation temperatures between 18 and 30 °C. Maximum and minimum temperature quotients (Q10) were observed between 26–30 °C and 22–26 °C as 3.03 and 1.71, respectively. These results suggest that O. maya has an increased capability for adapting to moderate temperatures, and suggest increased culture potential in subtropical regions southeast of México.

► We obtained a direct relationship between PT and acclimation temperature in O. maya.
► Thermopreference of early juveniles O. maya was 23.4 °C.
► The endpoint for CTMax was ink release and for CTMin was tentacles curled, respectively.
► A thermal tolerance polygon of early juveniles resulted in an area of 210.0 °C2.
► The Q10 was obtained between 26–30 °C and 22–26 °C being 3.03 and 1.71, respectively.