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Metabolism and Food Availability as Regulators of Production in Juvenile Cotton Rats
Author(s) -
Derting Terry L.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1940210
Subject(s) - sigmodon hispidus , biology , juvenile , interspecific competition , basal metabolic rate , ingestion , ecology , zoology , endocrinology
Recent studies have shown positive relationships between mass—specific rates of basal metabolism (BMR) and production rates for interspecific comparisons of mammals. This study investigated associations between BMR and production rates by determining whether simultaneous increases in BMR and production occur at the individual level. Growth, reproductive development, and food—processing rates of juvenile Sigmodon hispidus with naturally occurring or experimentally elevated levels of BMR and with ad libitum or restricted food availability were compared. When food was readily available, elevated BMR was associated with higher ingestion rates, faster and more efficient growth, and earlier sexual development. When food was restrived, elevated BMR was associated with severely reduced mass gains. These results suggest that basal metabolism, either directly or indirectly, contributes to mammalian rates of production.