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Hypothesis Article: Nutrient-driven metabolic amplification (NDMA): A hypothetical extension of specific dynamic action in elasmobranchs
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V. Thiruvengadam *   |
| Operations Manager, Aquatic Gallery, Marinescape India Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
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Abstract: (21 Views) |
| Specific Dynamic Action (SDA) has long been used to describe the postprandial increase in metabolic rate observed in animals following feeding. In elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates), substantial variation in SDA responses has been reported, suggesting that factors beyond meal size alone may influence metabolic outcomes. This paper proposes Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Amplification (NDMA) as a hypothetical physiological framework that extends the traditional SDA concept by incorporating nutrient quality, endocrine regulation, feeding ecology, and environmental influences. NDMA is proposed as an integrative model through which nutrient composition may amplify metabolic responses beyond the energetic costs of digestion and assimilation alone. Existing literature on elasmobranch bioenergetics is reviewed to identify knowledge gaps and establish the conceptual basis for the framework. Potential physiological mechanisms, predicted outcomes, and future experimental approaches for testing NDMA are discussed. The framework is intended as a testable hypothesis requiring empirical validation through controlled laboratory and field-based studies. |
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| Keywords: NDMA, Elasmobranchs, Specific Dynamic Action, Bioenergetics, Feeding Physiology, Metabolism, Nutrient Assimilation. |
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Full-Text [PDF 318 kb]
(30 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2026/06/13 | Accepted: 2026/10/2
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