Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus)
We examine here the thermal physiology of the ash-grey mouse, as there is a paucity of data to explain how Australian rodents meet thermoregulatory demands. Most ash-grey mice remained normothermic over a range of ambient temperatures (10 °C to 30 °C), although they became hyperthermic at high ambie...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Elsevier Inc.
2012
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39416 |
| _version_ | 1848755585456013312 |
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| author | Barker, Justine Cooper, Christine Withers, Philip Cruz-Neto, A. |
| author_facet | Barker, Justine Cooper, Christine Withers, Philip Cruz-Neto, A. |
| author_sort | Barker, Justine |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | We examine here the thermal physiology of the ash-grey mouse, as there is a paucity of data to explain how Australian rodents meet thermoregulatory demands. Most ash-grey mice remained normothermic over a range of ambient temperatures (10 °C to 30 °C), although they became hyperthermic at high ambient temperatures. One individual entered torpor at ambient temperatures of 20 °C and 25 °C, with minimal body temperatures of 24.5 °C and 28.4 °C respectively, before spontaneously arousing. This is the first evidence of torpor use by an Australian murine rodent. Our data suggest that although ash-grey mice have the physiological ability to use torpor, it is used rarely, presumably due to other behavioural and physiological adaptations. Their higher-than-expected basal metabolic rate (1.56 ± 0.25 mL O2 g− 1 h− 1) indicates that ash-grey mice do not have a frugal approach to energy expenditure. Other standard physiological variables were typical of a generalised rodent. A readily-available omnivorous diet, nocturnal activity, semi-fossorial habit and social behaviour presumably allow a high energy lifestyle. A reluctance to use torpor, despite an apparent physiological ability to do so, supports the idea that the use of torpor reflects a net balance between the costs and benefits of a heterothermic thermoregulatory strategy. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:58:39Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-39416 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:58:39Z |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-394162017-09-13T16:01:01Z Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) Barker, Justine Cooper, Christine Withers, Philip Cruz-Neto, A. Water economy Body temperature Evaporative water loss Torpor Metabolic rate Heterothermy Rodent We examine here the thermal physiology of the ash-grey mouse, as there is a paucity of data to explain how Australian rodents meet thermoregulatory demands. Most ash-grey mice remained normothermic over a range of ambient temperatures (10 °C to 30 °C), although they became hyperthermic at high ambient temperatures. One individual entered torpor at ambient temperatures of 20 °C and 25 °C, with minimal body temperatures of 24.5 °C and 28.4 °C respectively, before spontaneously arousing. This is the first evidence of torpor use by an Australian murine rodent. Our data suggest that although ash-grey mice have the physiological ability to use torpor, it is used rarely, presumably due to other behavioural and physiological adaptations. Their higher-than-expected basal metabolic rate (1.56 ± 0.25 mL O2 g− 1 h− 1) indicates that ash-grey mice do not have a frugal approach to energy expenditure. Other standard physiological variables were typical of a generalised rodent. A readily-available omnivorous diet, nocturnal activity, semi-fossorial habit and social behaviour presumably allow a high energy lifestyle. A reluctance to use torpor, despite an apparent physiological ability to do so, supports the idea that the use of torpor reflects a net balance between the costs and benefits of a heterothermic thermoregulatory strategy. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39416 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.07.011 Elsevier Inc. restricted |
| spellingShingle | Water economy Body temperature Evaporative water loss Torpor Metabolic rate Heterothermy Rodent Barker, Justine Cooper, Christine Withers, Philip Cruz-Neto, A. Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title | Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title_full | Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title_fullStr | Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title_short | Thermoregulation by an Australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) |
| title_sort | thermoregulation by an australian murine rodent, the ash-grey mouse (pseudomys albocinereus) |
| topic | Water economy Body temperature Evaporative water loss Torpor Metabolic rate Heterothermy Rodent |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39416 |