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Scaling of heart rate during locomotion in mammals

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The manner in which heart rate varies with running speed was examined in six species of marsupials and four species of eutherian mammals. The body weights of the animals ranged between 0.032 and 67.1 kg.

  2. 2.

    Heart rate increased linearly with running speed in all cases, but the slope of the relationship between these parameters was generally less in the heavier animals. An “excitement factor” was evident in addition to the increment due to increased power requirements.

  3. 3.

    The maximum steady state heart rate (maxf H) as a function of body mass (B; in kg) is described by the equation: maxf H=375B −0.19.

  4. 4.

    The ability of mammals of this size range to increase heart rates above standard levels is independent of body mass.

  5. 5.

    The values for masf H are similar in marsupials and eutherians, but the ratio of the maximal to standard values (maxf H/stdf H) was found to be greater in marsupials. This difference is maintained even after correction to a common body temperature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, The Flinders University of South Australia, 5042, Bedford Park, S.A., Australia

    R. V. Baudinette

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  1. R. V. Baudinette
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Baudinette, R.V. Scaling of heart rate during locomotion in mammals. J Comp Physiol B 127, 337–342 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00738418

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00738418

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