Thermoregulation and metabolic rates of nectarivorous bats of the genus Anoura (Chiroptera:Phyllostomidae) in a Venezuelan Andean cloud forest
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53157/ecotropicos.682a-rbtcKeywords:
Normothermy, High mountains, Physiological adaptationsAbstract
In Neotropical bats, the altitudinal distribution limits seem to be associated with environmental factors, which affect the different functional groups differently. In order to determine if thermoregulation and/or metabolic rates explain why nectarivorous species of the genus Anoura are restricted to mountain environments; we measured the body temperature (Tc), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and thermal conductance (C) of Anoura cultrata, A. geoffroyi and A. latidens, in a range of ambient temperatures (Ta) between 10 and 38ºC. The three species showed a normothermal thermoregulation pattern, maintaining their body temperature constant (33-35ºC) even at low temperatures. None of these nectarivores entered torpor, corresponding to their high BMR (103-131%). A decrease in their lower critical temperatures (Tci) will be observed. The thermal conductance in the three species was lower than expected for mammals (90-98%). These mountain nectarivores did not show significant differences in TMB and C with respect to low elevation species. In the three species, the estimated metabolic cost at the shelter temperature exceeded the BMR between 2.5 and 2.9 times, values similar to the predicted physiological limit (2.5 X BMR). Mountain species can maintain greater temperature differentials by displacement their zone of thermoneutrality, thus reducing the high cost of thermoregulation. Furthermore, the gregarious behavior in the form of harems (between 8-14 individuals) observed within the refuge could allow them to reduce their conductance and maintain a better thermal balance.
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