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Energy metabolism, body-temperature and breathing parameters in nontorpid blue-naped mousebirdsUrocolius macrourus

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Summary

Breathing frequencyF r of resting blue-naped mousebirdsUrocolius macrourus lies between 50–70 per min and correlates directly with ambient temperatureT a and energy metabolismM. The nocturnal mean energy intake per breath varies between 5.6–17.7 mJ/g. At highT a the birds show gular fluttering with a relatively constantF r of about 460 min−1.M shows a constant absolute day-night difference of 25 J/g·h; the relative differences areT a-dependent between 36–168% (lower values at lowerT a). Thermal conductance is 2.10–2.15 J/g·h·°C (predicted 2.67), indicating a good insulation. Basal metabolic rate BMR is reduced by 63% compared to predicted values. At aT a-range of +8–36 °C the birds are normothermic. Below this range nocturnalT b andM decrease slightly with fallingT a. The birds show partial heterothermia (shallow “hypothermia”). Clustering is an effective energy saving strategy which allows loweringM with keeping highT b even at lowT a.

Oxygen-intake is controlled byF r as well as by tidal volumeV t inT a-dependent changing portions.V T can vary between 0.29–0.91 ml (mean value 49.7 ml).

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Abbreviations

T a :

ambient temperature

T b :

body temperature

M :

energy metabolism

F r :

breathing frequency

V T :

tidal volume

BMR:

basal metabolic rate

TNP:

thermoneutral point

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AG Stoffwechselphysiologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universität Frankfurt, Siesmayerstrasse 70, D-6000, Frankfurt am Main 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    Roland Prinzinger

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  1. Roland Prinzinger
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Prinzinger, R. Energy metabolism, body-temperature and breathing parameters in nontorpid blue-naped mousebirdsUrocolius macrourus . J Comp Physiol B 157, 801–806 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691011

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691011

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