Luna Facundo, Antinuchi C Daniel
Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250, CC1245, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2007 Apr;146(4):559-64. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.12.025. Epub 2006 Feb 2.
For subterranean rodents, searching for food by extension of the tunnel system and maintenance of body temperature are two of the most important factors affecting their life underground. In this study we assess the effect of ambient temperature on energetics and thermoregulation during digging in Ctenomys talarum. We measured VO2 during digging and resting at ambient temperature (Ta) below, within, and above thermoneutrality. Digging metabolic rate was lowest at Ta within the thermoneutral zone and increased at both lower and higher temperatures, but body temperature (Tb) remained constant at all Tas. Below thermoneutrality, the cost of digging and thermoregulation are additive. Heat production for thermoregulation would be compensated by heat produced as a by-product of muscular activity during digging. Above thermoneutrality, conduction would be an important mechanism to maintain a constant Tb during digging.
对于地下啮齿动物来说，通过扩展隧道系统寻找食物和维持体温是影响它们地下生活的两个最重要因素。在本研究中，我们评估了环境温度对塔拉草原栉鼠挖掘过程中的能量学和体温调节的影响。我们在低于、处于和高于热中性区的环境温度（Ta）下测量了挖掘和休息期间的耗氧量（VO2）。挖掘代谢率在热中性区内的Ta时最低，在较低和较高温度下均升高，但体温（Tb）在所有Ta下均保持恒定。在热中性区以下，挖掘和体温调节的成本是相加的。体温调节产生的热量将由挖掘过程中肌肉活动作为副产品产生的热量来补偿。在热中性区以上，传导将是挖掘过程中维持Tb恒定的重要机制。
