Seasonal changes in thermogenesis, organ weights, and body composition in the white-footed mouse,Peromyscus leucopus

Oecologia ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Robert Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Organ Weights ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Seasonal changes in gut capacity in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Derting ◽  
Edward B. Noakes III
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Seasonal Environment ◽  
Different Types ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Changes in gut capacity may be important for a species adapting to increased energy requirements or decreased food quality in a seasonal environment. We conducted a comparative study of seasonal changes in gut capacity in two rodent species with diets of different types. Although the lengths and masses of gut organs differed between species within a season, the species did not differ in the types of gut changes that occurred from summer to winter. All organs except the colon had significantly heavier wet and dry masses in winter than in summer. No significant differences in organ lengths, volumes, or surface areas occurred with season. Increased mass of the small intestine was due to large increases in the mass of the mucosa and smaller increases in the mass of the serosa. In winter, Microtus pennsylvanicus had significantly lower body mass than in summer. Peromyscus leucopus had no change in body mass in winter but may have used torpor as an energy-conservation mechanism. Energy-conservation adaptations in each species may have minimized the need for large changes in the gut organs.

Seasonal Study of Spontaneous Daily Torpor in the White-Footed Mouse, Peromyscus leucopus

1978 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Robert Lynch ◽  
F. Daniel Vogt ◽  
Harvey R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Peromyscus Leucopus ◽  
Daily Torpor ◽  
Seasonal Study ◽  
White Footed Mouse
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document