Metabolic rate, thermoregulation and water balance in Lagidium viscacia inhabiting the arid Andean plateau

Tirado C.; Cortés A.; Bozinovic F.

Abstract

Lagidium viscacia inhabits where water and food availability is low. We hypothesize that this rodent should minimize metabolic rate and water loss in order to cope with such extreme environments. We observed that Lagidium viscacia has (1) a comparatively lower basal metabolic rate (67%) and thermal conductance (78%) of predicted; (2) a higher pulmocutaneous evaporation rate which is 36% (mesic) and 63% (xeric); and (3) energetic cost of maintaining the water balance similar to that expected for rodents from xeric environments (2.8 cal/g h). In summary, Lagidium viscacia has physiological traits that favour energy and water economy to cope with such extreme habitats. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Título según WOS: Metabolic rate, thermoregulation and water balance in Lagidium viscacia inhabiting the arid Andean plateau
Título según SCOPUS: Metabolic rate, thermoregulation and water balance in Lagidium viscacia inhabiting the arid Andean plateau
Título de la Revista: JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
Volumen: 32
Número: 4
Editorial: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Fecha de publicación: 2007
Página de inicio: 220
Página final: 226
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306456507000137
DOI:

10.1016/j.jtherbio.2007.01.003

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS