Interactive effects of temperature and photoperiod on the daily activity and energy metabolism of pouched mice ( Saccostomus campestris : Cricetidae) from southern Africa

摘要: The daily activity and energy metabolism of pouched mice (Saccostomus campestris) from two localities in southern Africa was examined following warm (25 °C) cold (10 acclimation under long (LD 14:10) short 10:14) photoperiol. There no differential effect photoperiod on the or examined, which suggests that reported differences photoresponsivity between these populations were not result organisation. Neverthe-less, there a significant increase at 10 °C, irrespective photoperiod, even though seven cold-acclimated animals displayed bouts spontaneous torpor saved 16.4–36.2% their expenditure. All but one occurred facilitated expression influenced individuals. As expected for noctureal species, amount time spent active increased to 25 °C. However, reduction mean levels possibly because stimulation by masked during torpor. Cold temperature clearly had an overriding this species necessitating metabolic heat production eliciting overrode ambient