Short-term thermoregulatory adjustments in a South American anseriform, the black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus)

Nespolo, RF; Artacho, P; Verdugo, C; Castaneda, LE

Abstract

Avian bioenergetic studies suggest that, compared with other vertebrates, birds are efficient thermoregulators. However, most avian physiological studies have been performed in species of small body masses (less than 1 kg). In contrast to what might be anticipated, thermoregulatory abilities of large, flying birds are scarcely studied, especially in temperate zones and aquatic systems. In order to determine short-term metabolic adjustment after thermal challenge, we studied the bioenergetics of a South American anseriform, the black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus). Our results suggest that this swan species exhibits lower resting metabolic rate compared with other anseriforms, and some hetherothermia. In addition, the black-necked swans in our study changed "wet" thermal conductance at different ambient temperatures. At our working Ta range (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) calculated values were considerably higher than expected (23%, 26%, 39% and 51% higher than expected, respectively). Our results differ considerably from the only two previous reports in swan species, suggesting that C. melanocoryphus, perhaps due to its temperate distribution, is more sensitive to changes in environmental temperature. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Título según WOS: Short-term thermoregulatory adjustments in a South American anseriform, the black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus)
Título según SCOPUS: Short-term thermoregulatory adjustments in a South American anseriform, the black-necked swan (Cygnus melanocoryphus)
Título de la Revista: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Volumen: 150
Número: 3
Editorial: Elsevier
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 366
Página final: 368
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S109564330800706X
DOI:

10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.04.599

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS