Individual differences in the behavioural responses of meadow voles to an unfamiliar environment are not correlated with variation in resting metabolic rate

摘要: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is highly variable between individuals within a single species and the relationship body mass RMR does not wholly explain this variability. One factor that could account for portion of residual variation animal personality or consistent individual differences (CIDs) in behaviour, but no study has examined free-living population mammals. In paper, we test CIDs activity live-trapped meadow voles Microtus pennsylvanicus after controlling effect mass. We quantified levels both an unfamiliar environment first 2 min apparatus, then measured using open-flow respirometry. As expected, there was linear mass, found strong evidence repeatable individuals. However, contrary to hypothesis, did identify significant correlation behaviour Our results suggest that, at least species, higher may require greater investment energetically demanding tissues increased capacity processing energy. Alternatively, if exists, our inability detect it reflect weak behavioural signal noisy data are influenced by many factors. also artefact responses stress sampling bias towards more exploratory animals captured live-trapping.