Rate of metabolism in the smallest simian primate, the pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)

Abstract

Rate of metabolism was measured with six adult pygmy marmosets (Cebuella pygmaea) at regulated ambient temperatures ranging between 20°C and 35°C. A novel combined nest box and metabolic chamber was designed to allow nighttime measurements on immobile animals in their home cage without disturbance. The basal rate of metabolism (BMR) was 98 ml O2 h−1, representing 74% of the value expected from the equation of McNab [Quarterly Review of Biology 63:25–54, 1988] relative to body mass. The thermoneutral zone was approximately 27–34°C. Below the lower critical temperature (27–28°C), thermal conductance (12.9 ml O2 h−1 °C−1) was close to the predicted value. Body temperature ranged between 34.9°C and 35.5°C at night. When two animals rested together overnight in the nest box, the lower critical temperature was slightly lowered, and individual energy expenditure at 20–21°C was reduced by about 34%. The basal rate of metabolism of C. pygmaea is much lower than reported in an earlier study based on daytime measurements but agrees with values reported from a more recent study conducted at night with a classical metabolic chamber. In order to compare the BMR of C. pygmaea with that of other primates, 23 species were included in a comparative study taking into account both phylogeny and body mass (independent contrasts approach). The scaling exponent of BMR to body mass obtained was indistinguishable from that published for eutherian mammals in general. Cebuella and Callithrix exhibit the lowest basal rates known for simians. This trait may possibly be linked to the natural diet, which includes a large proportion of gums that are difficult to digest, but additional metabolic studies on primates are needed for further examination of its adaptive significance. Am. J. Primatol. 41:229–245, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Social thermoregulation in least shrews, Cryptotis parva

“…Although nesting aggregations are most commonly reported in rodents, social thermoregulation also is reported in marsupials (Morton 1978, Canals et al 1989, bats (Kunz 1982, Roverud and Chappell 1991, Kurta 1995, primates (Schino and Troisi 1990, Genoud et al 1997, Perret 1998) and insectivores (Dryden et al 1974, Genoud 1985, 1988, McDevitt and Andrews 1995.…”

Scaling of free-ranging primate energetics with body mass predicts low energy expenditure in humans

“…locomotion, feeding …) above basal requirements. Given the lack of significant difference in the scaling of basal metabolic rate between primates and other eutherian mammals (allometric exponent without or with phylogenetic inference: 0.71-0.75; [10,[41][42][43]) but low relative DEE in primates (this study), we expect comparatively low PAL for primates. In addition, because low PAL is frequently associated with high levels of adiposity in humans, especially among Westerners, one may expect relatively high body fat proportions in non-human primates.…”

Behavioral adaptations to heat stress and water scarcity in white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica

“…They are generalists with respect to both diet and habit, and they can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions (Fragaszy et al, 2004). Yet, like other haplorhine primates (Stitt and Hardy, 1971;Johnson and Elizondo, 1979;Le Maho et al, 1981;Genoud et al, 1997), they likely possess a relatively narrow TNZ compared to many other kinds of mammals (Leary, 2008). Hill et al (2004) argue that temperature represents an important ecological constraint on primates, and we propose that capuchins living in a hot, dry environment are good subjects for the study of behavioral strategies to regulate body temperature.…”