Bennett A F, Ruben J A
Science. 1979 Nov 9;206(4419):649-54. doi: 10.1126/science.493968.
Resting and maximal levels of oxygen consumption of endothermic vertebrates exceed those of ectotherms by an average of five- to tenfold. Endotherms have a much broader range of activity that can be sustained by this augmented aerobic metabolism. Ectotherms are more reliant upon, and limited by, anaerobic metabolism during activity. A principal factor in the evolution of endothermy was the increase in aerobic capacities to support sustained activity.
恒温脊椎动物的静息和最大耗氧量平均比变温动物高出五到十倍。恒温动物具有更广泛的活动范围，这种增强的有氧代谢能够维持这些活动。变温动物在活动期间更依赖无氧代谢，且受到无氧代谢的限制。恒温性进化的一个主要因素是有氧能力的增强，以支持持续的活动。
