Cooling Rates and Body Temperature Regulation of Hibernating Echidnas (Tachyglossus Aculeatus).
From: School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia. s.c.nicol@utas.edu.au
The Journal of experimental biology
- Publish Date: Feb 2007
- ISSN: 0022-0949
- Volume: 210
- Issue: Pt 4
- Pages: 586-92
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Nicol Stewart C, Andersen Niels A, et al. Cooling Rates and Body Temperature Regulation of Hibernating Echidnas (Tachyglossus Aculeatus).. J. Exp. Biol. Feb 2007;210:586-92
Abstract
Echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are amongst the largest deep hibernators, but it is difficult to get them to hibernate normally under laboratory conditions. We measured body temperature (Tb) in 14 free-ranging echidnas using implanted data-loggers. Cooling during entry into hibernation bouts followed a Newtonian cooling curve, and conductances calculated from cooling curves were identical to those observed in cold exposed euthermic echidnas. Comparison with a reference soil temperature demonstrated that echidnas showed behavioural thermoregulation during hibernation; early in the hibernation season echidnas preferred to hibernate in cool areas, while during the coldest months they moved to warmer hibernacula, giving a preferred Tb in the range 8-10 degrees C. Thermal buffering against excessive variation in Tb may be as important as maintaining a low Tb.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Animals, Body Temperature Regulation, Echidna, Female, Hibernation, Male, Tasmania, Temperature
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17267644
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