Shaving increases daily energy expenditure in free-living root voles

摘要: Experimental manipulation of energy expenditure has long been recognized as an effective means for identifying causative effects and avoiding confounded interpretations arising from spurious correlations. This approach successfully applied mainly to studies on birds, particularly reproducing adults, whereas manipulations in mammals have proved more problematic. Here, we tested the hypothesis that shaving off 50% dorsal pelage should effectively increase wild root voles (Microtus oeconomus) their natural environment. We measured daily (DEE), using doubly labelled water shaved unshaved at beginning winter. The difference DEE (corrected body mass year effects) between experimental control group fluctuated 11.5% 17.3%. Probability recapture over 3 day assay was strongly dependent mass, but did not differ animals; however, a prevalence larger (heavier) individuals observed. Shaved animals lost weight first second trapping. Shaving therefore appears be method increasing cost total endotherms