Summary
Garter snakes,Thamnophis elegans, were entrained to a 14L (06.30–20.30 h) 10D (20.30–06.30 h) cycle for five weeks at 25 °C. Following entrainment, simultaneous measurements of ventilation and oxygen uptake were made. Pulmonary oxygen uptake (\(\dot V_{O_2 } \)) exhibited a diurnal rhythm with minimum values of\(\dot V_{O_2 } \) occurring during 10D. The diurnal rhythm persisted during continuous darkness (24D) and was considered to be endogenous. Minute ventilation (\(\dot VE\)) decreased during 10D. The decrease in\(\dot VE\) persisted during 24D. Diurnal alterations in\(\dot VE\) were attributed to a change in breathing frequency (f). The decrease inf during 10D was postulated to be characteristic of a ‘sleeping’ state. The decrease in\(\dot VE\) of the ‘sleeping’ state was of a greater magnitude than that for\(\dot V_{O_2 } \). Consequently, a pronounced diurnal rhythm in air convection requirement\((\dot VE/\dot V_{O_2 } )\) resulted. The data suggest that the regulatory mechanisms of the ‘sleeping’ state differ from that of the ‘waking’ state.
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Hicks, J.W., Riedesel, M.L. Diurnal ventilatory patterns in the garter snake,Thamnophis elegans . J Comp Physiol B 149, 503–510 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690009
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690009