Thermoregulation and Torpor in the Sugar Glider, Petaurus Breviceps (Marsupialia:Petauridae).

摘要: Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) from south-eastern Australia regulate their body temperature at 36.3 deg C ambient temperatures less than 31 . Standard metabolic rate was 2.54 W/kg0.75 (mean weight 0.132 kg) and the weight-specific thermal conductance 9% lower predicted by for a marsupial. Individual sugar entered torpor after starvation; lasted 16 h. The of torpid remained above 15 as low 8 , higher Arousing seemed to use both anaerobic aerobic mechanisms heat production. Groups huddled in cold, reducing critical 27 Starvation groups did not always induce all gliders. oxygen consumption group 4 an that single glider under same conditions. Huddling seems be most important mechanism energy conservation P. breviceps may used overcome short-term reductions winter food supplies.