Standard metabolic rate and preferred body temperatures in some Australian python']pythons

被引:22
作者
Bedford, GS [1 ]
Christian, KA [1 ]
机构
[1] No Terr Univ, Fac Sci, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
关键词
D O I
10.1071/ZO98019
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
Pythons have standard metabolic rates and preferred body temperatures that are lower than those of most other reptiles. This study investigated metabolic rates and preferred body temperatures of seven taxa of Australian pythons. We found that Australian pythons have particularly low metabolic rates when compared with other bold snakes, and that the metabolic rates of the pythons did not change either seasonally or on a daily cycle. Preferred body temperatures do vary seasonally in some species but not in others. Across all species and seasons, the preferred body temperature range was only 4.9 degrees C. The thermal sensitivity (Q(10)) of oxygen consumption by pythons conformed to the established range of between 2 and 3. Allometric equations for the pooled python data at each of the experimental temperatures gave an equation exponent of 0.72-0.76, which is similar to previously reported values. By having low preferred body temperatures and low metabolic rates, pythons appear to be able to conserve energy while still maintaining a vigilant 'sit and wait' predatory existence. These physiological attributes would allow pythons to maximise the time they can spend 'sitting and waiting' in the pursuit of prey.
引用
收藏
页码:317 / 328
页数:12
相关论文
共 46 条
[1]   METABOLISM OF SQUAMATE REPTILES - ALLOMETRIC AND ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS [J].
ANDREWS, RM ;
POUGH, FH .
PHYSIOLOGICAL ZOOLOGY, 1985, 58 (02) :214-231
[2]   EFFECTS OF GEOGRAPHICALLY VARIABLE THERMAL ENVIRONMENT ON BIOENERGETICS OF MOTTLED ROCK RATTLESNAKES [J].
BEAUPRE, SJ .
ECOLOGY, 1995, 76 (05) :1655-1665
[4]  
BEAUPRE SJ, 1995, HERPETOLOGICA, V51, P45
[5]  
Benedict F.G., 1932, CARNEGIE I WASHINGTO, V425
[6]  
Bennett A.F., 1976, P127
[7]  
BENNETT AF, 1979, COPEIA, P573
[8]   RESTING METABOLIC RATES IN BOID SNAKES - ALLOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS AND TEMPERATURE EFFECTS [J].
CHAPPELL, MA ;
ELLIS, TM .
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, 1987, 157 (02) :227-235
[9]   Thermoregulation by the spotted tree monitor, Varanus scalaris, in the seasonal tropics of Australia [J].
Christian, K ;
Bedford, G .
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY, 1996, 21 (02) :67-73
[10]   Seasonal metabolism of a small, arboreal monitor lizard, Varanus scalaris, in tropical Australia [J].
Christian, K ;
Green, B ;
Bedford, G ;
Newgrain, K .
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 1996, 240 :383-396