Thermal biology of African lovebirds and Australian grass parakeets
We compared aspects of the thermal biology of two groups of small parrots, of similar body mass, each derived from a range of habitat types, varying in aridity, but indigenous to either southern Africa or Australia. By accounting for phylogenetic differences, we were able to question whether arid zone species have lower metabolic rates and […]
The use of IR thermography to measure the radiative temperature and heat loss of a barn owl (Tyto alba)
Infrared (IR) thermography was used to identify the major sites of heat loss from a female barn owl at an air temperature of 17.6°C. When perched, the mean radiative temperature of the owl was 21.1°C (SD=3.5). The facial disc averaged 23.9°C (SD=9.1) and the temperature of the eyes was greater than 33°C. Images showed an […]
Calorie restricted rats do not increase metabolic rate post-LPS, but do seek out warmer ambient temperatures to behaviourally induce a fever
Due to previous work where we have demonstrated attenuated febrile responses post-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in calorie restricted (CR) rodents we aimed to explore metabolic rate and behavioral thermoregulation in these CR animals post-LPS. Male Sprague–Dawley rats fed ad libitum (AL) or restricted to 50% (CR50%) of the AL animals’ food intake for 28 days were injected […]
Respiratory function in common carp with different stress coping styles: a hidden cost of personality traits?
The purpose of this study was to compare investment in structures for gas exchange in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, with different stress coping styles, which are known to differ in resting metabolic rate. Common carp were classified as proactive or reactive on the basis of rate of emergence from cover into a novel, potentially dangerous […]
High oxygen consumption rates and scale loss indicate elevated aggressive behaviour at low rearing density, while elevated brain serotonergic activity suggests chronic stress at high rearing densities in farmed rainbow trout
The effect of stocking density on indicators of welfare has been investigated by several studies on farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. However, the densities at which welfare are compromised remain ambiguous. Here three different stocking density treatments were selected based on the results of a previous study, where levels of crowding where determined using the […]
The effects of chronic exposure to common bedding materials on the metabolic rate and overall health of male CD-1 mice
Anecdotes and personal Web pages claim that cedar and pine beddings cause respiratory distress in rodents, although no previous research could be found to support these claims. There have, however, been published studies of respiratory distress in cedar and pine mill workers. That research links exposure to wood dust to asthma and to bronchial and […]