Abstract
During entrance into hibernation, the decrease in minute ventilation associated with the fall in body temperature and metabolic rate is accompanied by the conversion of continuous breathing to intermittent breathing in both the goldenmantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) and the Columbian ground squirrel (S. columbianus). In hibernation, the former species exhibits an episodic breathing pattern, while the latter species exhibits a pattern of evenly spaced single breaths. The goal of this study was to compare the changes in the ventilatory responses of these two species of ground squirrel to changes in levels of inspired O₂ and CO₂ during hibernation, to test the hypothesis that species differences in intermittent breathing patterns may be explained on the basis of differences in sensitivity to hypoxia and hypercapnia. During entrance into hibernation, changes in ventilation and breathing pattern were accompanied by a change in the relative contribution of changes in arterial Po₂ (Pao₂), Pco₂ (P...
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