Daily metabolic patterns of short-tailed shrews (Blarina) in three natural seasonal temperature regimes

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Mammalogy; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1380308· OSTI ID:6173632

Randolph, J C

An automatic, continuous-flow gas analysis system was used to determine daily metabolic patterns of individual short-tailed shrews (Blarina) in three natural seasonal temperature regimes in eastern Tennessee. Average daily metabolic rates (ADMR) were lowest in the summer (0.426 kcal g/sup -1/day/sup -1/), approximately doubled under winter conditions (0.810 kcal g/sup -1/day/sup -1/) but were the highest under fall conditions (1.110 kcal g/sup -1/day/sup -1/) possibly due to incomplete acclimatization of the shrews. The shape of the daily metabolic pattern for Blarina does not change seasonally; however, summer metabolic rates are the least variable and are lower than most values previously reported in the literature. Polynomial multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relative influence of body mass, ambient temperature, and time of day on metabolic rates; only ambient temperature was significant in predicting metabolic rates of this shrew. Average daily metabolic rates of Blarina observed under summer and winter conditions further substantiate the general predictive equations of metabolic rates formulated for small mammals by French et al. (1976). Comparisons of metabolic patterns of Blarina with those of Peromyscus leucopus observed under nearly identical conditions indicate similar rates with strong seasonal influences.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 6173632
• Journal Information: J. Mammalogy; (United States), Vol. 61:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
SHREWS
METABOLISM
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAILY VARIATIONS
ECOLOGY
EQUATIONS
FORECASTING
MEASURING METHODS
PHYSIOLOGY
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TENNESSEE
ANIMALS
MAMMALS
NORTH AMERICA
RODENTS
SOUTHEAST REGION
USA
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
550500* - Metabolism
551000 - Physiological Systems