Abstract
Body temperature (Tb), basal metabolic rate (BMR), thermal conductance and thermogeneic capacity was measured in newly hatched Common Puffin (Fratercula arctica) chicks. The thermoneutral zone extends from 32 to 35°C in which Tb was held at 38.6°C. The BMR (7.31 W kg−1) and thermal conductance (1.22 mW g−1 °C−1) was 70% and 140%, respectively, of the expected values for adult birds. The chicks were able to increase their metabolic rate by a factor of 2.1 A comparison with similar measurements for a precocial alcid species (the Xantus' Murrelet) suggests that the ability to increase the metabolic rate (i.e. a high thermogeneic capacity) is a key factor for the precocial type of development within the Alcidae.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
