Vertebrate Ecophysiology

Abstract

Ecophysiology attempts to clarify the role and importance of physiological processes, such as digestion and respiration, in the ecological relations of species in their natural habitats. The basic principles and methods that are central to any ecophysiological study are outlined and discussed, including animal capture, blood collection, and the measurement of plasma components and hormone levels. Attention is paid to animal welfare and ethical considerations, and the question of stress and how to identify its presence in animals in their natural environment is approached through a series of case studies. Examples are given from a wide range of vertebrates living in deserts, cold climates and oceans, and recent findings on the physiological adaptations of Antarctic birds and mammals are a highlight of the book. This textbook will provide an introduction to the study of ecophysiology for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students, as well as researchers in ecology, biodiversity and conservation.

The “minimal boundary curve for endothermy” as a predictor of heterothermy in mammals and birds: a review

“…A small body mass enhances heat loss, due to a high surface area to volume ratio, so the relative advantages of heterothermy are especially pronounced for small endotherms. Small species cool faster, have a high mass-specific energy requirement, have a greater reduction of metabolic rate in comparison to normothermic values, and the overall energetic costs of rewarming are smaller due to reduced thermal inertia at smaller body masses (Bradshaw 2003;Speakman and Thomas 2003).…”

Transient presence of a teiid lizard in the European Eocene suggests transatlantic dispersal and rapid extinction

“…These ectothermic vertebrates do not face the high energy demands of mammals. In addition, heterothermy is a daily reality in reptiles (Malan 1996;Mc Nab 2002) and many species also readily enter dormancy during climatic fluctuations, seasonal drought or shortage of food resource (Zug 1993;Bradshaw 2003). Long-distance drift is expected to be favoured by the low energy demand of lizards, their resistance to starvation and the capability of some lizards (e.g.…”

Humidity – The overlooked variable in the thermal biology of mosquito‐borne disease

“…The optimal regulation of both body temperature and water balance is crucial for organismal performance and fitness (Bradshaw, 2003). Due to the fundamental relationship that exists between temperature and the amount of moisture the air can hold (Figure 3), variations in both relative humidity and temperature will alter the degree of moisture stress ectothermic organisms, like mosquitoes, experience.…”