Summary
Using a physical model of the capacity for non-evaporative heat loss and measurements of metabolic heat production, I evaluated the evaporative requirements for thermoregulation in the deer mouse,Peromyscus maniculatus, and the white rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculus. The physical limit to non-evaporative heat loss was calculated from the heat transfer properties of the two animals and expressed as a maximum thermal conductance (C max). Two physiologically-based thermal conductances were derived from evaporative water loss, respiratory gas exchange and core temperature measurements made between 8 and 34°C on the deer mouse, and taken from published data for the white rabbit. The thermal conductance for non-evaporative heat loss (C) was calculated from net heat production, whereasC m represented the thermal conductance required to dissipate metabolic heat production. Evaporation is required when metabolic heat production exceeds the capacity for non-evaporative heat loss (as shown byC m>C max). However, evaporation increased in both animals although additional capacity to lose heat remained (i.e.,C<C max). Evaporation increased withC above 30°C for the mouse and at each 5°C measurement interval from 15 to 30°C for the rabbit. Thus, evaporation was greater than that required for thermoregulation for both animals as determined from a physical model of heat loss because both evaporation andC increased together to regulate heat loss.
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Conley, K.E. Evaporative water loss: thermoregulatory requirements and measurements in the deer mouse and white rabbit. J Comp Physiol B 155, 433–436 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684672
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684672