Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 2002 |
Authors: | Ochoa-Acuña, H, Montevecchi, WA |
Journal: | Waterbirds |
Volume: | 25 |
Issue: | 2 |
Date Published: | 2002 |
ISBN Number: | 1524-4695 |
Keywords: | Canada, Cymochorea leucorhoa, Hydrobates leucorhoa, Hydrobatidae, Oceanodroma, Oceanodroma leucorhoa |
Abstract: | Abstract We evaluated the basal metabolic rate (BMR), thermal conductance (Cm), and lower critical temperature (Tlc) of Leach?s Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) using open-flow respirometry. Measurements were taken from six adults collected at their nests at Great Island, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland, Canada. In order to establish Tlc and Cm, we determined rates of oxygen consumption after exposing birds to different ambient temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 26°C, and 30°C). Storm-petrels had a minimal Cm of 0.122 ± 0.019 ml O2/g·°C·h and Tlc was 24°C. The basal rate of oxygen consumption was 1.85 ± 0.24 ml O2/g·h. Incubating Leach?s Storm-petrels had a basal rate of metabolism lower than previously reported for this species. Possible explanations for this discrepancy include the use of different techniques to measure metabolic rates, and the physiological state of the birds being measured. In this respect, our results coupled with those from previous studies, suggest decreased metabolic rates in incubating Procellariformes compared to those of non-reproducing birds measured at the same temperature. This decline in metabolism is possibly related to metabolic depression due to fasting.Abstract We evaluated the basal metabolic rate (BMR), thermal conductance (Cm), and lower critical temperature (Tlc) of Leach?s Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) using open-flow respirometry. Measurements were taken from six adults collected at their nests at Great Island, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland, Canada. In order to establish Tlc and Cm, we determined rates of oxygen consumption after exposing birds to different ambient temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 26°C, and 30°C). Storm-petrels had a minimal Cm of 0.122 ± 0.019 ml O2/g·°C·h and Tlc was 24°C. The basal rate of oxygen consumption was 1.85 ± 0.24 ml O2/g·h. Incubating Leach?s Storm-petrels had a basal rate of metabolism lower than previously reported for this species. Possible explanations for this discrepancy include the use of different techniques to measure metabolic rates, and the physiological state of the birds being measured. In this respect, our results coupled with those from previous studies, suggest decreased metabolic rates in incubating Procellariformes compared to those of non-reproducing birds measured at the same temperature. This decline in metabolism is possibly related to metabolic depression due to fasting. |
URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2002)025[0249:BMROAL]2.0.CO;2 |
Short Title: | Waterbirds |
Taxonomic name: