Testing angular velocity as a new metric for metabolic demands of slow-moving marine fauna: a case study with Giant spider conchs Lambis truncata

Abstract Background Quantifying metabolic rate in free-living animals is invaluable understanding the costs of behaviour and movement for individuals communities. Dynamic body acceleration (DBA) metrics, such as vectoral DBA (VeDBA), are commonly used proxies energy expenditure but limited applicability slow-moving species. It has recently been suggested that metrics based on angular velocity might be better suited to characterise their energetics. We investigated whether a novel metric—the ‘Rate change Rotational Movement (RocRM)’, calculated from sum pitch, roll yaw/heading axes over given length time, suitable proxy expenditure. Results found RocRM can an alternative benthic invertebrate. Eleven Giant spider conchs Lambis truncata (collected Red Sea) were instrumented with multiple channel (Daily Diary) tags kept sealed chambers 5 h while oxygen consumption, V̇O 2 , was measured. positively correlated this relationship being affected by time-step (i.e. range differential) RocRM. Time steps 1, 5, 10 60 s yielded explained variability between 15 31%. The VeDBA not statistically significant, suggesting provide more accurate estimations rates L. . Conclusions proved significant predictor where did not, validating approach using angular-based dynamic movement-based ones slower moving animals. Further work required validate use other species, particularly minimally movement, understand energetic whole ecosystems. Unexplained models consequence methodology used, also likely result conch activity does manifest shell. Additionally, density plots mean at each suggest differences scales, which may collectively useful species fingerprint going forward.