The development of thermoregulation in two species of woodrats, Neotoma lepida and Neotoma albigula

Abstract

Abstract o 1. Comparative thermoregulatory development was studied in two species of woodrats. Neotoma lepida and Neotoma albigula. These species experienced a similar temperature loss when exposed to low ambient temperatures during the pre-weaning period. 2. Assuming identical physiological systems and temperature loss as it relates to physical mass, N. albigula would be expected to have a lower cooling rate than N. lepida, because N. albigula is larger in mass at comparable ages. 3. The results of this experiment show the reverse to be true, and this suggests that N. lepida develops thermoregulatory capabilities faster than does N. albigula. This is presumptive evidence that N. albigula, which develops more rapidly, expends proportionately less energy for thermoregulation and more for growth during the pre-weaning period than does N. lepida.