1987/05/01 by Abraham Haim, N. Fairall · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Medicine · Chemistry · #Physiological and biochemical adaptations #Adipose Tissue and Metabolism #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies #Bioenergetics #Thermogenesis #Rodent #Animal science #Energetics #Biology #Thermoregulation #Energy metabolism #Ecology #Chemistry #Endocrinology #Adipose tissue #Biochemistry
paper · doi:10.1086/physzool.60.3.30162283
openalex publication_date 1987/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
The vlei rat Otomys irroratus, a diurnally active rodent, lives primarily in grassland habitats aboveground, close to water sources, on a vegetarian diet of grass leaves, stems, and herbs. Heat production and dissipation and energy intake were studied in vlei rats (mean body mass, Mb = 102 g). Low metabolic rates (0.832 ± 0.18 ml O2/g · h) in the thermoneutral zone (24–28 C), low energy intake (141.08 kJ/24 h · 100 g Mb), and low overall minimal thermal conductance (0.080 ± 0.01 ml O2/g · h · 1 C; measured at an ambient temperature of 22 C) are characteristic features of this species. Nonshivering thermogenesis was measured as the response to a noradrenaline injection. After the administration of 1.2 mg/kg to an anesthetized individual, an increase of 3.1 times in VoV̇o2 was recorded. This increase was not accompanied by an increase in body temperature. The results of this study reflect the bioenergetic and thermoregulatory adaptations of the vlei rat to its habitat and habits.