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Twenty‐four‐hour variations in activity, core temperature, metabolic rate, and respiratory quotient in captive chinese pangolins
Author(s) -
Heath Martha E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430060102
Subject(s) - nocturnal , respiratory quotient , biology , zoology , circadian rhythm , thermoregulation , morning , medicine , endocrinology , ecology , botany
The circadian rhythms in activity, core temperature (T c ), O 2 consumption, CO 2 production, and respiratory quotient (RQ) were monitored in four captive Chinese pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla ). The pangolins were strictly nocturnal, never emerging from their nest before 1600 h, and their intermittent activity continued no later than 0230. As is usual in nocturnal mammals, the highest values observed in T c , O 2 consumption, and CO 2 production occurred during the night; the lowest values occurred during the day. The magnitude of the variation in T c , O 2 consumption, CO 2 production, and RQ averaged 1.2°C, 1.3 ml O 2 kg −1 min −1 , 1.2 ml CO 2 kg −1 min −1 , and 0.24, respectively. The circadian pattern in RQ was independent of activity, T c , and the metabolic parameters and was of a different character than the patterns exhibited in the other variables. RQ remained constant at either a high or low level for long periods (8–10 h) and then increased or decreased relatively rapidly (1–2h) to the other level as in a square wave, whereas the rhythms in the other variables are similar to sine waves. The sharp increase in RQ was followed by a slow decline in T c , and the sharp decline in RQ was followed by a slow increase in T c .