The Relationship of CO2 Production and Activity in Varying Ambient Temperatures of Gromphadorhina portentosa (Madagascar Hissing Cockroach)

Abstract

Ectotherms are not able to internally regulate their body temperature; instead, their body temperature is reliant among external sources. However, ectotherms have metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy used by an animal to keep its body functioning properly. We hypothesized that as the temperature increased so would the metabolic rate and activity of the Grmphadorhina portentosa (Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches). We came up with this hypothesis because ectotherms try to move around to regulate their body temperatures by moving to shaded or sunny areas. As we led to this, we presumed that this would correlate with the CO₂ production. In this experiment, we tested the relationship of the metabolic rate and activity of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches in varying temperature chambers of cold, warm, and room temperature. We had three separate trials using one cockroach per trial. We manipulated the temperature for each chamber in five-minute intervals. While the temperature was manipulated in the chambers, the CO₂ production and activity was collected. Our data varied between the CO₂ production and activity. They were in fact proportionate, and we concluded that as the temperature increased CO₂ production and activity decreased. This would suggest that the cockroaches used different behavioral mechanisms to increase body temperature (Crouse 2017).