Energy metabolism and evaporative water loss in the California ground squirrel

摘要: Rates of metabolism and evaporative water loss were investigated inSpermophilus beecheyi. Special attention was paid to the influence micro-climate animal's burrow on these parameters. Metabolic rate as measured by oxygen consumption is 25 per cent below that predicted from body weight. A new hypothesis advanced account for this commonly observed phenomenon in fossorial rodents. In summer, there an overlap region thermal neutrality temperature but winter temperatures are neutrality. Evaporative cooling accounts approximately 20 total heat at low humidity. Minimization avenue high humidities did not result increase or metabolic rate, therefore dimension neutral zone independent ambient By indirect means, partitioned into 37 cutaneous sources 63 pulmonary sources. direct relationship found between vapor pressure loss. The telemetry. At lower temperatures, former maintained constant levels, hyperthermia develops above 30 ° C.