Open AccessEndothermy and Activity in Vertebrates
Author(s) -
Albert F. Bennett,
John A. Ruben
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 12.556
H-Index - 1186
eISSN - 1095-9203
pISSN - 0036-8075
DOI - 10.1126/science.493968
Subject(s) - ectotherm , anaerobic exercise , biology , ecology , physiology
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.
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