Metabolic rate and thermoregulation in two species of tuco-tuco, Stenomys talarum and Ctenomys australis (Caviomorpha, Octodontidae)

Abstract

1. 1. Resting metabolic rate and body temperature in function of ambient temperature were determined for two species of Ctenomys. 2. 2. Oxygen consumption was lowest between 25 and 30°C and was 0.946 ± 0.030 and 0.968 ± 0.022 in Ctenomys talarum (from Mar de Cobo and Necochea, respectively). Resting metabolic rate was 0.343 ± 0.053 at 30°C in C. australis. 3. 3. Mean rectal temperature at thermoneutrality was 36.1 ± 0.13 and 37.3 ± 0.17 in C. talarum and C. australis, respectively. 4. 4. Limited thermoregulation occurred in C. talarum down to 20°C but C. australis maintained body temperature down to 10°C. 5. 5. Both species of tuco-tucos became hyperthermic at ambient temperatures above thermoneutrality.