Cutaneous and respiratory evaporation in the painted quail, Excalfactoria chinensis, during ontogeny of thermoregulation

Abstract

1.1. Cutaneous evaporation exceeded respiratory evaporation at 25 and 35°C in both immature and adult painted quail, Excalfactoria chinensis. Evaporation by each pathway was greater in younger than in older quail.2.2. Rates of cutaneous evaporation may be influenced by skin permeability and plumage thickness.3.3. All metabolic heat at 25°C was dissipated by evaporation in hatchlings, precluding homeothermy. Cutaneous evaporation alone accounted for the loss of 70 per cent of endogenous heat, compared to 13 per cent in adults.4.4. Attainment of homeothermy thus represents decreasing rates of evaporation, especially from the skin, and increasing rates of metabolic heat production.