Does specific dynamic action (SDA) regulate return of appetite in the lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus caniculcla?

Specific dynamic action (SDA) and the return of appetite (RA) were measured in juvenile (weight range 10·9–16·3 g) and adult (weight range 588·8–802·2 g) Scyliorhinus canicula by means of respirometry and re‐feeding trials respectively. Juvenile S. canicula consumed relatively more food than the adults at all times indicating faster rates of food processing in juvenile dogfish. At no time during the SDA effect was there any evidence that elevated levels of oxygen consumption completely prevented further food consumption in either adult or juvenile dogfish. The coefficient (DurationSDA/DurationRA) was similar for both adult (0·52) and juvenile (0·49) S. canicula suggesting that SDA metabolism was closely associated with the processes involved in appetite return.