The exact mechanisms controlling amphibian respiration have not been established. To investigate the role played by oxygen in this phenomenon Necturus maculosus were exposed to various temperatures and oxygen concentrations of the water. The rate of gill oscillations per minute (OPM) of eight Necturus sp. at 19.9 ± 0.8° C was not significantly different from the OPM of eighteen animals at 23.5 ± 1.0° c. A significant increase in the OPM was recorded for nine Necturus during self depletion of the oxygen as well as for thirteen Necturus during nitrogen depletion of the oxygen. A wide range in the OPM occurred during all tests which rendered analysis very difficult. Results from this study suggest that oxygen levels in the water are involved in the respiratory control of Necturus maculosus.
Sandra Laurie Simms (Mon,) studied this question.