Phenotypic flexibility in heat production and heat loss in response to thermal and hydric acclimation in the zebra finch, a small arid-zone passerine.

ABSTRACT: To maintain constant body temperature (T_b) over a wide range of ambient temperatures (T_a) endothermic animals require large amounts of energy and water. In hot environments, the main threat to endothermic homeotherms is insufficient water to supply that necessary for thermoregulation. We investigated flexible adjustment of traits related to thermoregulation and water conservation during acclimation to hot conditions or restricted water availability, or both, in the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata a small arid-zone passerine. Using indirect calorimetry, we measured changes in whole animal metabolic rate (MR), evaporative heat loss (EHL) and T_b before and after acclimation to 23 or 40 °C, with different availability of water. Additionally, we quantified chan

SUBMITTER: Wojciechowski MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7819915 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature