Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3726
Title: Rest-Phase Thermoregulation In Free-Ranging White-Backed Mousebirds
Contributor(s): McKechnie, Andrew E (author); Koertner, Gerhard  (author)orcid ; Lovegrove, Barry G (author)
Publication Date: 2004
DOI: 10.1650/7327
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/3726
Abstract: In White-backed Mousebirds ('Colius colius'), clustering is an important component of rest- phase thermoregulation, particularly at low air temperature. We tested predictions concerning thermoregulation under natural conditions by recording rest-phase body temperature in a flock of free-ranging White-backed Mousebirds in an arid habitat during winter in the Karoo, South Africa. We found that the mouse- birds' restphase body temperature was relatively labile, but was generally maintained above 32°C, despite air temperatures as low as -3.4°C. Patterns of rest-phase body temperature were highly synchronized among individuals within the cluster. The mousebirds showed no evidence of torpor under natural conditions; a shallow departure from normothermy, during which body temperature was reduced to 29-33°C, was observed on only one occasion. The observed patterns of thermoregulation supported our predictions, and confirm that thermoregulation in clustering White-backed Mousebirds in the wild is significantly different
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: The Condor, 106(1), p. 143-149
Publisher: University of California Press
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1938-5129
0010-5422
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060809 Vertebrate Biology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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