Comparative winter thermoregulation and body temperature in three sympatric Apodemus species (A-alpicola, A-flavicollis, and A-sylvaticus)

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_559DD157F75F
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Comparative winter thermoregulation and body temperature in three sympatric Apodemus species (A-alpicola, A-flavicollis, and A-sylvaticus)
Journal
Zeitschrift für Saugetierkunde
Author(s)
Aeschimann J., Bourquin L., Engels B., Thomas C., Vogel P.
ISSN
0044-3468
Publication state
Published
Issued date
1998
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
63
Number
5
Pages
273-284
Language
english
Abstract
When living in sympatry with Apodemus sylvaticus and A. flavicollis, A. alpicola dominates numerically at higher altitudes. A more efficient winter thermal isolation or a higher winter thermogenic capacity procuring a physiological advantage could explain at least part of this domination. We therefore measured body temperature (Tb), oxygen consumption (VO2), wet minimal thermal conductance (C) and non shivering thermogenesis (NST) at different ambient temperatures (Ta) on winter acclimated mice of the three species, and this for the first time in A. alpicola.
NST was high and C low in the three species. No significant difference could be noticed either in Tb between 5 and -10 degrees C, in VO2 measurements at a Ta of -10 degrees C or in C. The NST measurements represent, respectively, 135.2% for A. sylvaticus, 142.8% for A. flavicollis and 140.5% for A. alpicola of the expected values, the values for A. sylvaticus being significantly lower than for the other two species. The basal metabolic rates (BMR) represent 169.4% for A. sylvaticus, 161.6% for A. flavicollis and 138.3% for A. alpicola of the expected values. Having removed the effect of body weight, the BMR value was significantly lower in A. alpicola than in A. flavicollis, but no difference could be noticed between A. sylvaticus and the other two species.
In conclusion, the three species of mice have very similar acclimated thermoregulatory characteristics, well adapted to cold ambient conditions. One discriminating and advantageous factor could be the lower basal metabolic rate measured in A. alpicola compared to the other two species.
Keywords
Apodemus, rodents, thermoregulation, metabolism
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24/01/2008 17:32
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:10
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