Novel midwater ocean sampling shows that physiology dictates zooplankton distributions in submesoscale low oxygen features.

The critical oxygen partial pressure (Pcrit), typically defined as that below which an animal's metabolic rate (MR) is unsustainable, is widely interpreted as a measure of hypoxia tolerance. Here, Pcrit is defined as the PO2 at which physiological oxygen supply (α0) reaches its maximum capacity (α; µmol O2 g−1h−1kPa−1). The α is a species- and temperature-specific constant describing the oxygen dependency of the maximum metabolic rate (MMR= PO2*α) or, equivalently, the metabolic rate-dependence of Pcrit (Pcrit=MR/α). We describe the α-method, in which the MR is monitored as oxygen declines and, for each measurement period, is divided by the corresponding PO2 to provide the concurrent oxygen supply (α0=MR/PO2). The highest α0 value (or, more conservatively, the mean of the three highest values) is designated as α. The same value of α is reached at Pcrit for any MR regardless of previous or subsequent metabolic activity. The metabolic rate needn't be constant (regulated), standardized, nor exhibit a clear-breakpoint at Pcrit for accurate determination of α. The α-method has several advantages over Pcrit determination and non-linear analyses, including: 1) less ambiguity and greater accuracy, 2) fewer constraints in respirometry methodology and analysis, and 3) greater predictive power and ecological and physiological insight. Across the species evaluated here, α values are correlated with MR, but not Pcrit. Rather than an index of hypoxia tolerance, Pcrit is a reflection of α, which evolves to support maximum energy demands and aerobic scope at the prevailing temperature and oxygen level.

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