Metabolic rate and evaporative water loss in the silky starling (Sturnus sericeus).
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: To better understand the physiological characteristics of the silky starling (Sturnus sericeus), its body temperature (Tb), basal metabolic rate (BMR), evaporative water loss (EWL) and thermal conductance (C) elicited by different ambient temperatures (Ta) (5-30 ℃) were determined in the present study. Our results showed that they have a high Tb (41.6 ± 0.1 ℃), a wide thermal neutral zone (TNZ) (20-27.5℃) and a relatively low BMR within the TNZ (3.37 ± 0.17 mL O₂/g·h). The EWL was nearly stable below the TNZ (0.91 ± 0.07 mg H₂O/g·h) but increased remarkably within and above the TNZ. The C was constant below the TNZ, with a minimum value of 0.14 ± 0.01 mL O₂/g·h·℃. These findings indicate that the BMR, Tb and EWL of the silky starling were all affected by Ta, especially when Ta was below 20 ℃ and the EWL plays an important role in thermal regulation.
Source: PubMed Central
Authors: Huan-Huan Bao, Qing-Jian Liang, Hong-Lei Zhu, Xiao-Qiu Zhou, Wei-Hong Zheng, Jin-Song Liu
Institutions: Zhejiang Normal University, Wenzhou University
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W344070217