Role of Temperature in the Metabolic Rate of Gromphadorhina portentosa

Abstract

In this study, we chose to investigate the effect of different temperatures on the metabolic rates of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa). Because Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are ectotherms, they cannot self-regulate their internal body processes. Ectotherms’ bodies directly respond to their environment's temperature. We believe that in higher temperatures the cockroaches will produce more CO₂ than in lower temperatures. In order to test this study, we placed three cockroaches into a clear container for three minutes at temperatures of 10ºC, 21ºC, and 30ºC for a total of nine trials. We measured the cockroaches’ CO2 rates as well as the initial and final amounts so that metabolic rate can be calculated. We found that as the temperature increased, the metabolic output of the cockroaches also increased. Likewise, as the temperature decreased, the metabolic output also decreased. Our hypothesis was supported because the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches’ metabolic rate correlated with the cockroaches’ environmental temperature.