Seasonally constant field metabolic rates in free-ranging sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps)

Quin, Darren G.; Riek, Alexander; Green, Stuart; Smith, Ann C.; Geiser, Fritz

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.11.014

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In marsupials, small size can prohibit the measuring of auricular temperature, otherwise it had been suggested that auricular temperature was more accurate than cloacal temperature [ 22 ]. Morphometric measurements of this study were generally similar to data of wild sugar gliders, except that pet sugar gliders had higher mean body weight than wild sugar gliders [ 18 , 23 ]. In future sugar glider research, it would be valuable to collect physiological data of a larger sample size to expand on this preliminary data.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Establishment of Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values and Analysis of Risk Factors for Pet Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) in Taiwan

Lin

Yang²,

Lin

et al. 2022

Animals

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Hematological and plasma biochemical examination are crucial in the veterinary care of sugar gliders, which are increasingly popular in Taiwan and the United States. However, published research of the species’ reference interval and related influencing factors were rare. The objectives of this study were to establish the hematological and plasma biochemical reference values for captive sugar gliders in Taiwan and to evaluate the influence of factors including age, gender, neuter status, location, season, diet, caging arrangement, and other pets in the household. A total of 42 clinically healthy pet sugar gliders were recruited. Morphometrical measurements and physiological data were collected, and hematological and plasma biochemical examinations were performed. The reference value of each index was calculated using Reference Value Advisor (RVA) software, following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) guidelines. Normality of data distribution was tested, and data transformation was conducted. The parametric method and robust method were used to determine reference limits. Univariate analysis was performed, and multiple regression models were built for each hematological and plasma biochemical parameter. Red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were higher in males, compared to females, while they were lower in the neutered group, compared to the intact group. Relative neutrophil counts were higher in elder sugar gliders, while relative lymphocyte counts were lower. Aspartate transaminase levels were higher in elder sugar gliders, while albumin levels were lower. Blood urea nitrogen levels were highest in spring. The blood profile and related effects presented in this study can provide useful information for veterinary care in pet sugar gliders.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Establishment of Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values and Analysis of Risk Factors for Pet Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) in Taiwan

Lin

Yang²,

Lin

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Such behavior is also observed among some Australian marsupials, such as brush-tailed phascogales ( Phascogale tapoatafa ) (Rhind, 2003), eastern pygmy possums ( Cercartetus nanus ) (Namekata and Geiser, 2009), and sugar gliders ( Petaurus breviceps ) (Quin et al, 2010). Birds also use huddling in migration stopover to avoid heat losses (Wojciechowski et al, 2011) and at resting places (Du Plessis and Williams, 1994; McKechnie and Lovegrove, 2001; Gilbert et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Aerobic power, huddling and the efficiency of torpor in the South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides

et al. 2012

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SummaryDuring periods of cold, small endotherms depend on a continuous supply of food and energy to maintain euthermic body temperature (Tb), which can be challenging if food is limited. In these conditions, energy-saving strategies are critical to reduce the energetic requirements for survival. Mammals from temperate regions show a wide arrange of such strategies, including torpor and huddling. Here we provide a quantitative description of thermoregulatory capacities and energy-saving strategies in Dromiciops gliroides, a Microbiotherid marsupial inhabiting temperate rain forests. Unlike many mammals from temperate regions, preliminary studies have suggested that this species has low capacity for control and regulation of body temperature, but there is still an incomplete picture of its bioenergetics. In order to more fully understand the physiological capacities of this “living fossil”, we measured its scope of aerobic power and the interaction between huddling and torpor. Specifically, we evaluated: (1) the relation between basal (BMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and (2) the role of huddling on the characteristics of torpor at different temperatures. We found that BMR and MMR were above the expected values for marsupials and the factorial aerobic scope (from CO2) was 6.0±0.45 (using CO2) and 6.2±0.23 (using O2), an unusually low value for mammals. Also, repeatability of physiological variables was non-significant, as in previous studies, suggesting poor time-consistency of energy metabolism. Comparisons of energy expenditure and body temperature (using attached data-loggers) between grouped and isolated individuals showed that at 20°C both average resting metabolic rate and body temperature were higher in groups, essentially because animals remained non-torpid. At 10°C, however, all individuals became torpid and no differences were observed between grouped and isolated individuals. In summary, our study suggests that the main response of Dromiciops gliroides to low ambient temperature is reduced body temperature and torpor, irrespective of huddling. Low aerobic power and low time-consistency of most thermoregulatory traits of Dromiciops gliroides support the idea of poor thermoregulatory abilities in this species.

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Energy expenditure increases during the active season in the small, free-living hibernator Muscardinus avellanarius

2014

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Seasonally constant field metabolic rates in free-ranging sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps)

Cited by 5 publications

References 22 publications

Establishment of Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values and Analysis of Risk Factors for Pet Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) in Taiwan

Establishment of Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values and Analysis of Risk Factors for Pet Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) in Taiwan

Aerobic power, huddling and the efficiency of torpor in the South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides

Energy expenditure increases during the active season in the small, free-living hibernator Muscardinus avellanarius

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