Metabolic response to air temperature and wind in day-old mallards and a standard operative temperature scale
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Most duckling mortality occurs during the week following hatching and is often associated with cold, windy, wet weather and scattering of the brood. We estimated the thermoregulatory demands imposed by cold, windy weather on isolated 1‐d‐old mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings resting in cover. We measured O2 consumption and evaporative water loss at air temperatures from 5° to 25°C and wind speeds of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 m/s. Metabolic heat production increased as wind increased or temperature decreased but was less sensitive to wind than that of either adult passerines or small mammals. Evaporative heat loss ranged from 5% to 17% of heat production. Evaporative heat loss and the ratio of evaporative heat loss to metabolic heat production was significantly lower in rest phase. These data were used to define a standard operative temperature (Tes) scale for night or heavy overcast conditions. An increase of wind speed from 0.1 to 1 m/s decreased Tes by 3°–5°C.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Metabolic response to air temperature and wind in day-old mallards and a standard operative temperature scale |
| Series title | Physiological and Biochemical Zoology |
| DOI | 10.1086/316704 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 656 |
| Last page | 665 |