Abstract

The effect of diet quality on basal metabolic rate (BMR) over time was studied in female Octodon degus. Degus fed on a low-quality diet maintained a constant BMR over time, while those fed on a high-quality diet showed all increased BMR after 30 days. After 120 days of dietary acclimation, individuals fed on a high-quality diet exhibited comparatively higher BMRs. Thus, we hypothesize that when environmental food quality is high, degus are able to increase their BMR quickly, allowing high rates of biosynthesis.