Thermoregulation in Young Mammals

Hull, D

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-747603-2.50010-2

Cited by 80 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…In our case, specially in the experiments on early stages of development, the ambient temperature fell far to the left of this boundary. Moreover, M. musculus presents a narrow thermoneutral zone and displaced toward high temperatures (Hull 1973). In consequence, we propose that differences in huddling effectiveness mainly results from variations in the capacity to change form or shape when huddling at different times along the ontogeny.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effect of ambient temperature was studied indirectly in two ways: (1) comparing our results of M. musculus at 15 and 20°C, both temperatures at least 5°C below the thermoneutral zone (Hull 1973); and (2) analyzing, at the light of our model, reported data for several species of small mammals at different temperatures.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding ontogeny, many young mammals huddle together or cuddle close to their parents (Hull 1973). This fact may affect the area lost when the individuals are huddled, and in consequence the huddling effectiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modulating factors of the energetic effectiveness of huddling in small mammals

Canals¹,

Rosenmann²,

Novoa³

et al. 1998

Acta Theriol.

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Huddling is effective in decreasing metabolic rate permitting energy saving. However, this decrease varies among different species depending on physical, physiological and behavioral characteristics of the huddled individuals. Following a general model we analyzed the effects of ambient temperature, thermal conductance and ontogeny on the huddling effectiveness (energy saving level from huddling behaviour) in white mice Mus musculus. Also, we studied the effects of thermal conductance by using the Sigmodontine Abrothrix andinus as a model organism. To put our results in a general context we analyzed literature data of huddling of several species of rodents at different temperatures. No effects of temperature and thermal conductance was detected. However, based on literature data, we found that at temperatures lower or near thermoneutrality the huddling effectiveness decrease. Also, the huddling effectiveness depends on the stage of development. Temperature probably affects the intensity of huddling, while changes in huddling effectiveness at early stages of development are likely consequences of structural (morphological) changes during the ontogeny. In this sense, it appears that the capacity to change the body form is and individual structural constraint which is extended to the huddling group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modulating factors of the energetic effectiveness of huddling in small mammals

Canals¹,

Rosenmann²,

Novoa³

et al. 1998

Acta Theriol.

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“…Copyright 1993 Psychonomic Society, Inc. duction in many newborn mammals (see Hull, 1973, for a comprehensive review), has been reported to be at maximum levels in mice at birth, with subsequent decreases over the first 7 days of life (Tarkkonen & Julka, 1968). In contrast, shivering has not been detected until 7 days of age in the infant mouse (Arjamaa & Lagerspetz, 1979) and 11-12 days of age in the rat (Gulick, 1926;Taylor, 1960).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In newborn mouse and rat pups, these mechanisms of thermoregulation are either absent or limited (for general reviews, see Alexander, 1975;Hull, 1973;Schmidt, Kaul, & Heldmaier, 1987). For example, house mice (Ogilvie & Stinson, 1966) and Norway rats (Kleitman & Satinoff, 1982) are able to move to a higher Ta as early as 1 day of age.…”

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confidence: 99%

Development of homeothermy in infant C3H mice

Nagy

1993

Bull. Psychon. Soc.

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The ability ofC3H mice to maintain normal nest-level body temperatures when removed from the nest and isolated at room temperature (24°C) was examined between 2 and 30 days of age. To account for the increasing body size and fur growth which might serve to decrease the rates of heat loss in the developing mouse, colonic temperatures were recorded for isolated live and dead mice matched for age, body weight, and pelage, over a 1-h exposure to 24°C. The results point to there being three stages of thermoregulatory development: 2-5, 8-15, and 18-30 days of age, with the pup being unable to maintain normal body temperature when isolated from the nest until 18 days of age. Increases in body size, weight, and growth of fur had little effect on heat loss through 18 days of age.It is well known that the newborn of certain altricial mammals, including the common house mouse (Mus musculus) and the Norway rat (Ranus norvegicus), lack adultlike thermoregulatory capabilities and have been regarded as essentially poikilothermic (see, e.g., Adolph, 1957;Fairfield, 1948;Lagerspetz, 1962;Pichotka, 1971). When removed from the nest and isolated at an ambient temperature (Ta) lower than nest-temperature (Tn), the colonic temperature (Teo) of newborn pups drops quickly to levels only slightly above Ta. When in the nest, however, young mice and rats are able to maintain their body temperature (Tb) within a relatively narrow range of about 33°-37°C, even though Ta may be much lower, depending upon a combination of factors, including heat production, infant huddling, insulation quality of the nest, and maternal behaviors (see Leon, 1986, for a review). During the first 3 weeks of life, pups develop an increasing ability to maintain nest-level Teo when isolated at increasingly lower Tas (see, e.g., Conklin & Heggeness, 1971;Fairfield, 1948;Poczopko, 1961). The transition from a poikilothermic to a homeothermic state is not simple, and it clearly reflects the increasing ability of the infant to maintain a thermal balance between heat production and heat loss, using either physiological or behavioral means.In adult mice and rats, exposure to a Ta below the zone of thermal neutrality results in a sequence of behavioral and/or physiological responses in order to increase Tb. The initial attempt is usually behavioral, consisting simply of moving to an area of higher Ta. If unsuccessful, adults may attempt next to conserve heat loss by means of general vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels and/or piloerection of fur. With further decreases in adult Tb, oxygen (02) consumption increases and there is an increase in heat production by both shivering and nonshivering mechanisms (see Bligh, 1973, for a review).

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Behavioral thermoregulation in a sexually and developmentally dichromatic neotropical primate, the black-and-gold howling monkey (Alouatta caraya)

Bicca‐Marques

Calegaro-Marques

1998

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

121

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Behavioral thermoregulation in primates may provide a means for the conservation of heat during periods of low ambient temperature and/or food shortage as well as a way to dissipate heat under hot conditions. This article focuses on behavioral thermoregulation in a sexually dichromatic primate, the black-and-gold howling monkey (Alouatta caraya). Two models have been proposed to explain the evolution of sexual dichromatism in this species: thermoregulation and sexual selection. Five hypotheses associated with thermoregulatory behaviors are tested. These are as follows: (1) energy-conserving postures are used mainly under low ambient temperatures; (2) sunny resting places are selected during periods of low temperature; (3) exposure of the less-insulated ventral region to sunlight decreases with increasing temperature; (4) black-colored adult males use energy-conserving postures, sunny places, and exposure of the ventral region to sunlight less frequently than do blonde-colored adult females; and (5) smaller individuals use energy-conserving postures, sunny places, and exposure of the ventral region to sunlight in significantly greater frequency than do larger individuals. Over a 12-month period, behavioral data were collected on a free-ranging habituated group of 15-17 howlers of all age-sex classes. Ambient temperature was measured each hour. The results indicate that during resting, howlers showed a consistent use of heat-conserving postures, showed a preference for sunny places, and exposed their ventral region to sunlight under low ambient temperatures. A preference for shady places, heat-dissipating postures, and exposure of the back were observed under high ambient temperatures. Despite sex differences in adult color patterns and differences in size between age classes, no significant age or sex differences in thermoregulatory behaviors were detected. Failure to confirm a thermoregulation model implies that sexual selection may be responsible for sexual dichromatism in this species.

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Thermoregulation in Young Mammals

Cited by 80 publications

References 78 publications

Modulating factors of the energetic effectiveness of huddling in small mammals

Modulating factors of the energetic effectiveness of huddling in small mammals

Development of homeothermy in infant C3H mice

Behavioral thermoregulation in a sexually and developmentally dichromatic neotropical primate, the black-and-gold howling monkey (Alouatta caraya)

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