Oxygen consumption and body temperature of the Argentine field mouse, Akodon azarae, in relation to ambient temperature

Abstract

1. 1.| Akodon azarae, a rodent of the pampas grasslands of South America, and similar to the northern hemisphere microtines in many aspects, exhibits a resting metabolic rate expected for an animal of its size. This is unlike the higher values generally found within the temperate adapted microtines. 2. 2.|Body temperature appears stabilized near 34–35°C at ambient temperatures of 16–25°C, but again unlike the microtines, the ability to maintain this body temperature at lower or higher ambient temperature ranges is quite poor. 3. 3.|Behavioural selection of suitable microclimate may be a particularly important adaptation to cold in this species.