Body Temperature, Oxygen Consumption, and Evaporative Water Loss in a Primitive Insectivore, the Moon Rat, Echinosorex gymnurus

1977 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Whittow ◽  
E. Gould ◽  
D. Rand
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Roberts ◽  
RV Baudinette

Stubble quail occur in more arid areas of Australia than king quail; however, the rates of metabolism and the ability to regulate body temperature in response to varying ambient temperature are similar in both birds, and resemble those of other quail species. At high ambient temperatures, rates of heat loss mediated by evaporative water loss are lower than those previously reported for more xerophilic species. Overall rates of water turnover and evaporative water loss at lower ambient temperatures are at the lower end of the range predicted for birds.


The Condor ◽  
1962 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Bartholomew ◽  
Jack W. Hudson ◽  
Thomas R. Howell

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Withers ◽  
AK Lee ◽  
RW Martin

Resting oxygen consumption and total evaporative water loss were determined for N. alexis at ambient temperatures of 20, 28 and 33 deg C in dry air. The minimum rate of oxygen consumption was 0.61 ml min-1 at 33 deg C, and minimum total evaporative water loss was 4.75% body mass day-1 at 28 deg C. Respiration frequency, tidal volume and respiratory minute volume were determined for N. alexis at ambient temperatures of 20, 28 and 33 deg C in air of low or high relative humidity. Minimum values were obtained at 28 deg C and low RH for respiratory minute volume and tidal volume, and at 28 deg C and high RH for respiratory frequency. Expired air temperature of N. alexis at these temperatures was lower than or similar to ambient for mice in air of low RH, but was higher than or similar to ambient at high RH. Respiratory evaporative water loss, calculated from the previous data, was greatest for mice in dry air at 33 deg C, and least in moist air at 33 deg C. Cutaneous evaporative water loss made up about 40-60% of the total evaporative water loss for mice in dry air. The rates of total evaporative water loss were clearly reflected in the manner of body temperature regulation at high ambient temperatures. Hopping-mice in moist air at 28 and 33 deg C became hyperthermic, whereas mice in dry air showed only slight increases in body temperature. The significance of these data to hopping-mice in the field was discussed.


1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
VANCE A. TUCKER

1. Oxygen consumption of 2 budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) was measured during level, ascending and descending nights lasting 5-20 min. in a wind-tunnel at speeds between 19 and 48 km./hr. In level flight oxygen consumption was lowest at 35 km./hr. with a mean value of 21.9 ml. (g. hr.)-1 or 12.8 times the standard value calculated for these birds (weight = 35 g.). At a given speed oxygen consumption was highest for ascending flight and lowest for descending flight. 2. Carbon dioxide production was measured on one bird flying level at 35 km./hr.for 20 min. The ratio of carbon dioxide production to oxygen consumption was 0.780, indicating that the bird was oxidizing primarily fat. 3. The efficiencies of level, ascending and descending flight are discussed. The measurements indicate that for the budgerigar 42 km./hr. is the most economical speed for covering distance, and below 27 km./hr. undulating flight is more economical than flight at a constant altitude. 4. Evaporative water loss in level flight was measured in two birds for 20 min. at 35 km./hr. at temperatures of 18-200 and 29-31° C. At 36-37° C. the birds became overheated and would not fly for as long as 20 min. Evaporative water loss at 18-20° C. was 20.4 mg. (g. hr.)-1. It increased to 63.9 mg. (g. hr.)-1 at 36-37° C. After accounting for metabolic water production and faecal water loss, budgerigars flying at 18-20°C. had a net water loss of 11 mg. (g. hr.)-1. At this temperature 15% of the estimated heat production in flight was lost by evaporation of water, while 47% was lost by evaporation of water at 36-37°C. 5. Lung ventilation, tidal volume and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in expired air were estimated for flying budgerigars from evaporative water-loss data. In level flight at 18-20° C and 35 km./hr. these quantities had values of 398 ml. (g. hr.)-1, 0.033 ml. (g- breath)-1 and 37 mm. Hg. respectively. 6. Respiratory rate in level flight was measured in 2 birds at speeds between 19 and 48 km./hr. Respiratory rate depended on speed and was lowest at 35 km./hr. Since wing-beat frequency was constant at 840 beats/min. at all speeds, respiratory rate and wing-beat frequency were not synchronized. Published data and analysis of dimensional relations of birds suggest that in birds the size of a budgerigar or smaller a respiratory rate equal to the wing-beat frequency would be too high for efficient ventilation of the lungs. Birds the size of a pigeon or larger probably have synchronous wing beats and respirations.


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