Thermal acclimation in a small Afrotropical Bird

摘要: Wild-caught animals are regularly used in physiological studies, yet the length of time it takes for completion their acclimation to laboratory conditions remains largely unknown. In particular, Afrotropical species relatively understudied compared with temperate and Holarctic species. Thus, we measured a number metabolic variables 10g bird, Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens), at weekly intervals, over an 8-week period, while birds were acclimating two different constant thermal environments; 25°C 29°C. Body mass increased significantly first three weeks, remaining approximately thereafter, no significant difference between housed those However, whole animal resting rates remained throughout eight-week study values 29°C lower than 25°C. Rather pointing minimum period necessary acclimation, these results suggest that some instances, freshly wild-caught small passerines may not need be acclimated or respirometry equipment, prior measurements rate.