The Energetics of Free-Living Little Penguins Eudyptula-Minor (Spheniscidae), During Molt

1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Gales ◽  
B Green ◽  
C Stahel
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Field Metabolic Rate ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Little Penguin

Levels of circulating triglycerides and cholesterol in moulting little penguins in Tasmania were measured before, and throughout the moult. Levels at the initiation of moult were similar to those in breeding birds but increased by 2.5 times (triglycerides) and 1.8 times (cholesterol) during the moult. Water flux rates and field metabolic rate (FMR) were measured throughout moult with tritiated and doubly labelled water. TBW ranged from 54 to 70% body weight and increased during moult. Water influx rates were significantly correlated with rate of weight change. Mean FMR of moulting little penguins was 657 kJ kg-' day-', or 1.5 times basal metabolic rate (BMR), and there was no difference between sites or sexes. The water influx rates of birds foraging immediately after moult were 11 times higher than in moulting birds. The energy required to sustain a moulting little penguin is 15% higher than that required for a resting, non-moulting penguin. Although the cost of moult is elevated above BMR, the main energetic expense is met during the pre-moult foraging period when birds must consume enough food to ensure that they lay down sufficient fat reserves to sustain the moult.

Field Metabolic Rate and Water Flux of Nectarivorous Honeyeaters

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
WW Weathers ◽  
DC Paton ◽  
RS Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Basal Metabolic Rate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Field Metabolic Rate ◽  
Influx Rate ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Average Water ◽  
Foraging Tactic

Field metabolic rate (FMR) and water influx of New Holland honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), eastern spinebills (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) and a crescent honeyeater (P. pyrrhoptera) were measured by the doubly labelled water technique. New Holland honeyeaters had just finished breeding and were beginning their summer moult. They ranged in mass from 15.4 to 21.0 g (mean = 17.3 g, n = 12) and had FMRs averaging 8.8 mt CO2 g(-1) h(-1) or 77.6 kJ day(-1), which was 2.8 times their measured basal metabolic rate (BMR). Their water influx rate averaged 10.7 mL day(-1). Eastern spinebills were still feeding young and had yet to begin moulting. They ranged in mass from 8.0 to 10.7 g (mean = 9.7 g, n = 6), had FMRs averaging 10.9 mL CO2 g(-1) h(-1) or 52.9 kJ day(-1) (2.5 times their measured BMR), and had an average water influx rate of 8.7 mL day(-1). FMR and water influx of a single 14.6-g crescent honeyeater, which was in late primary moult, were 75.9 kJ day(-1) (2.7 times measured BMR) and 12.5 mL day(-1). The FMR of New Holland honeyeaters varied inversely with mean standard operative temperature (T-es) calculated for values of T-es below 20 degrees C as follows: FMR (kJ day(-1)) = 134 - 5.47 T-es (n = 12, r(2) = 0.52). Honeyeater FMRs were much lower than would be predicted allometrically for hummingbirds of the same mass, reflecting the honeyeaters' low-cost foraging tactic of consuming nectar while perched.

Field Metabolism and Water Requirements of Spinifex Pigeons (Geophaps-Plumifera) in Western-Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Williams ◽  
D Bradshaw ◽  
L Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Phylogenetic Constraint ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
A Value ◽  
Maintenance Metabolism ◽  
North Western

Spinifex pigeons (Geophaps plumifera) are one of the few avian species that have evolved the capacity to reside in the hot and dry regions of central and north-western Australia. Previous investigation has revealed that their basal metabolic rate (BMR) equals only 68% of allometric prediction. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that these birds have a reduced field metabolic rate (FMR) and water influx as a result of their lowered BMR. We measured the FMR and water flux of free-living spinifex pigeons by means of the doubly labelled water method. Although body mass of free-living male and female pigeons differed significantly, with males weighing on average 90.8 +/- 7.7 g (+/- s.d.) and females 80.2 +/- 5.6 g, FMR was statistically indistinguishable between sexes. For sexes combined, FMR averaged 139.9 mL CO2 h-1, or 73.5 kJ day-1, a value 38.7% of allometric expectation. These data support the hypothesis that spinifex pigeons have a markedly reduced FMR, probably, in part, the result of a depressed BMR compared with other birds of similar size. Our phylogenetic analysis of the BMR of pigeons lacked sufficient data to determine whether a reduced BMR in Australian pigeons was the consequence of ecological adaptation or phylogenetic constraint. Water influx ranged from 2.5 to 39.0 mL day-1 and averaged 18.4 mL day-1. Of the total water intake, 83.5% came from drinking; their food, seeds, supplied about 4%. Maintenance metabolism, energy allocated to basal plus thermoregulatory metabolism, accounted for about 67% of the average FMR, indicating that the activity requires relatively low energy expenditure in these birds.

Energy and Water Metabolism in Free-Living Greater Gliders, Petauroides-Volans

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ Foley ◽  
JC Kehl ◽  
KA Nagy ◽  
IR Kaplan ◽  
AC Borsboom
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Energy Losses ◽  
Water Metabolism ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Field Metabolic Rates

Water flux and metabolic rate were measured using a low-level, doubly-labelled water technique in eight free-living greater gliders, Petauroides volans which were maintaining constant body masses at about 1 kg in eucalypt forest near Maryborough, Queensland. Mean water influx was 88.0�3.2 mL d-' and mean metabolic rate was 25.1 L C02 d-' or 520 kJ d-'. These arboreal folivores have field metabolic rates and water influx rates that are 96% and 71% respectively of those predicted for a herbivorous marsupial of their body mass. Assuming that faecal energy losses were 43% of gross energy intakes and that urinary energy losses were 15% of digestible energy intakes, the gross energy intake of the animals was about 1130 kJ d-'. Animals would need to eat between 45 and 50 g of dry matter daily to satisfy these energy requirements. Based on these results, a preliminary energy budget for greater gliders has been proposed.

Field Metabolic-Rate, Water Flux, and Food-Requirements of Short-Nosed Bandicoots, Isoodon-Obesulus (Marsupialia, Peramelidae)

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Nagy ◽  
SD Bradshaw ◽  
BT Clay
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Produced Water ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Pond Water ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Fresh Matter ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Field Metabolic Rates

Field metabolic rates (FMRS) and water influx rates of free-living short-nosed bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) were measured via the doubly labelled water technique. Bandicoots ranging in body mass from 775 to 1825 g (mean = 1230 g) had FMRS averaging 0.908 mL CO2 g-1 h-1, or 644 kJ d-1. This is about 2.7 times predicted basal metabolic rate. Water influx rates during the autumn measurement period were comparatively low, averaging 88.8 mL kg-1 d-1, or 103 mL d-1 for a 1230 g animal. Feeding rate (dry matter intake) was estimated to be 45 g d-1, assuming that the food was half invertebrates and half plant tissues (dry matter basis). Performed and metabolically produced water from the food can completely account for total water intake, indicating that bandicoots did not drink the rainwater or pond water that was available. The study population (estimated density = 0.63 bandicoots ha-1) consumed food at a rate of about 62 g fresh matter ha-1 d-1 (equivalent to 27 g dry matter or 605 kJ ha-1 d-1), which is similar to the food requirements of populations of small eutherian and marsupial insectivores in other habitats.

Patterns of Prey Consumption and Energy Use in a Small Carnivorous Marsupial, Antechinus-Stuartii

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Green ◽  
K Newgrain ◽  
P Catling ◽  
G Turner
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Annual Basis ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Carnivorous Marsupial

The metabolic and water flux rates of free-living Antechinus stuartii were measured by means of doubly-labelled water. These data allowed rates of food consumption to be estimated on a seasonal and annual basis and variations in body fat reserves to be monitored. There were marked seasonal variations in energy and water use; the highest rates were found in lactating females during late spring, the lowest were recorded in males during the breeding season just prior to their deaths. These results are discussed with regard to the breeding pattern, and it is demonstrated that the existence of males in the population during spring could seriously constrain breeding success.

Metabolism and Water Flux of Captive and Free-Living Australian Parrots

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Williams ◽  
PC Withers ◽  
SD Bradshaw ◽  
KA Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Lower Field ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Evaporative Water ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Field Metabolic Rates

Occupation of desert environments often requires evolutionary specialisations that minimise food and water requirements. One physiological adjustment to living in a hot, dry climate that has been found in several laboratory studies of birds is a reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR), which often translates into a diminished rate of evaporative water loss (EWL). In free-living birds, these physiological traits are thought to result in a lower field metabolic rate and water flux. We studied metabolism and water flux of a number of species of Australian parrots, both in the laboratory and in the field. After combining our laboratory data with values from the literature, we performed allometric analyses to search for evolutionary specialisation in metabolism and water flux in desert-adapted parrots. Our data do not support the idea that parrots living in arid environments have a reduced BMR. Field metabolic rates of parrots from western Australia were indistinguishable from those of other nonpasserine birds. Laboratory EWL was significantly lower for parrots living in desert environments than for those occupying more mesic habitats, and often lower than that expected from body size. Some species of parrots that live in desert regions of Australia have evolved mechanisms that reduce EWL, but this does not involve a reduction in BMR. In the field, parrots living in Western Australia had a lower water influx than predicted for nonpasserines, but this did not approach the value often found in other desert-adapted species. Values for the water economy index (water flux in free-living animals relative to their energy metabolism) were among the lowest that have been reported for desert-adapted birds.

Seasonal field energetics and water influx rates of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley A. Gibson ◽  
Ian D. Hume
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Field Metabolic Rate ◽  
Influx Rate ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Metabolic Strategies

Water and energy requirements of free-living male and female greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) were measured over two summers and two winters on Astrebla Downs National Park in far south-western Queensland, Australia, by means of the doubly labelled water method. Mean water influx rate of the bilby (mean body mass: summer 928 g; winter 848 g) did not differ between summer (63.1 mL day–1) and winter (53.1 mL day–1), but mean field metabolic rate was significantly higher during summer (617.2 kJ day–1) than in winter (480.3 kJ day–1). The comparatively low water influx rate of the bilby (significantly lower than that predicted for a 887-g marsupial: P < 0.001) indicated that bilbies have the ability to conserve water in the wild. In contrast, field metabolic rate of the bilby did not differ significantly from that predicted for a marsupial of its body mass (P = 0.999). Bilbies were able to obtain sufficient food and water to satisfy energy and water requirements in three out of the four study periods. However, they were in negative energy and water balance during one study period, suggesting that they are susceptible to nutrient and water stress. The relatively low body fat stores of bilbies in the wild also indicate that they are vulnerable to periods of low food availability. The metabolic strategies of the bilby are only partly suggestive of adaptation to arid conditions.

Field Metabolic Rate and the Cost of Ranging of the Red-Tailed Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur Ruficaudatus)

1999 ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Drack ◽  
Sylvia Ortmann ◽  
Nathalie Bührmann ◽  
Jutta Schmid ◽  
Ruth D. Heldmaier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Field Metabolic Rate ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Sportive Lemur ◽  
Lepilemur Ruficaudatus

scholarly journals Energy expenditure of free-living reindeer estimated by the doubly labelled water method

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geir Gotaas ◽  
Eric Milne ◽  
Paul Haggarty ◽  
Nicholas J.C. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Mountain Pasture ◽  
The Mean

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method was used to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in three male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) aged 22 months in winter (February) while the animals were living unrestricted at natural mountain pasture in northern Norway (69&deg;20'N). The concentrations of 2H and l8O were measured in water extracted from samples of faeces collecred from the animals 0.4 and 11.2 days after injection of the isotopes. Calculated rates of water flux and CO2-production were adjusted to compensate for estimated losses of 2H in faecal solids and in methane produced by microbial fermentation of forage in the rumen. The mean specific TEE in the three animals was 3.057 W.kg-1 (range 2.436 - 3.728 W.kg1). This value is 64% higher than TEE measured by the DLW method in four captive, non-pregnant adult female reindeer in winter and probably mainly reflects higher levels of locomotor activity in the free-living animals. Previous estimates of TEE in free-living Rangifer in winter based on factorial models range from 3.038 W.kg-1 in female woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) to 1.813 W.kg-1 in female Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus). Thus, it seems that existing factorial models are unlikely to overestimate TEE in reindeer/caribou: they may, instead, be unduly conservative. While the present study serves as a general validation of the factorial approach, we suggest that the route to progress in the understanding of field energetics in wild ungulates is via application of the DLW method.

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