OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION AND TORPOR IN THE FAT-TAILED DWARF LEMUR (CHEIROGALEUS-MEDIUS) - RETHINKING PROSIMIAN METABOLISM

O2 consumption was measured in a lemuriform prosimian. C. medius, throughout a 24 h cycle. The standard metabolic rate was 0.95 ml O2 (g .cntdot.)-1 agreeing well with the value predicted by allometric equations, 0.91 ml O2 (g .cntdot. h)-1. As a group, prosimians are argued to have metabolic levels in agreement with eutherian norms, rather than hypometabolic levels as previously supposed. Day length is an important behavioral cue for this species. Its complex yearly and daily torpor cycles are linked to this stimulus.