Patterns of Prey Consumption and Energy Use in a Small Carnivorous Marsupial, Antechinus-Stuartii

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Green ◽  
K Newgrain ◽  
P Catling ◽  
G Turner
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Annual Basis ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Carnivorous Marsupial

The metabolic and water flux rates of free-living Antechinus stuartii were measured by means of doubly-labelled water. These data allowed rates of food consumption to be estimated on a seasonal and annual basis and variations in body fat reserves to be monitored. There were marked seasonal variations in energy and water use; the highest rates were found in lactating females during late spring, the lowest were recorded in males during the breeding season just prior to their deaths. These results are discussed with regard to the breeding pattern, and it is demonstrated that the existence of males in the population during spring could seriously constrain breeding success.

The Energetics of Free-Living Little Penguins Eudyptula-Minor (Spheniscidae), During Molt

1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Gales ◽  
B Green ◽  
C Stahel
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Field Metabolic Rate ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Little Penguin

Levels of circulating triglycerides and cholesterol in moulting little penguins in Tasmania were measured before, and throughout the moult. Levels at the initiation of moult were similar to those in breeding birds but increased by 2.5 times (triglycerides) and 1.8 times (cholesterol) during the moult. Water flux rates and field metabolic rate (FMR) were measured throughout moult with tritiated and doubly labelled water. TBW ranged from 54 to 70% body weight and increased during moult. Water influx rates were significantly correlated with rate of weight change. Mean FMR of moulting little penguins was 657 kJ kg-' day-', or 1.5 times basal metabolic rate (BMR), and there was no difference between sites or sexes. The water influx rates of birds foraging immediately after moult were 11 times higher than in moulting birds. The energy required to sustain a moulting little penguin is 15% higher than that required for a resting, non-moulting penguin. Although the cost of moult is elevated above BMR, the main energetic expense is met during the pre-moult foraging period when birds must consume enough food to ensure that they lay down sufficient fat reserves to sustain the moult.

scholarly journals Energy expenditure of free-living reindeer estimated by the doubly labelled water method

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geir Gotaas ◽  
Eric Milne ◽  
Paul Haggarty ◽  
Nicholas J.C. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Mountain Pasture ◽  
The Mean

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method was used to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in three male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) aged 22 months in winter (February) while the animals were living unrestricted at natural mountain pasture in northern Norway (69°20'N). The concentrations of 2H and l8O were measured in water extracted from samples of faeces collecred from the animals 0.4 and 11.2 days after injection of the isotopes. Calculated rates of water flux and CO2-production were adjusted to compensate for estimated losses of 2H in faecal solids and in methane produced by microbial fermentation of forage in the rumen. The mean specific TEE in the three animals was 3.057 W.kg-1 (range 2.436 - 3.728 W.kg1). This value is 64% higher than TEE measured by the DLW method in four captive, non-pregnant adult female reindeer in winter and probably mainly reflects higher levels of locomotor activity in the free-living animals. Previous estimates of TEE in free-living Rangifer in winter based on factorial models range from 3.038 W.kg-1 in female woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) to 1.813 W.kg-1 in female Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus). Thus, it seems that existing factorial models are unlikely to overestimate TEE in reindeer/caribou: they may, instead, be unduly conservative. While the present study serves as a general validation of the factorial approach, we suggest that the route to progress in the understanding of field energetics in wild ungulates is via application of the DLW method.

Seasonal Field Energetics of the Rufous Rat-Kangaroo (Aepyprymnus-Rufescens)

1992 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
IR Wallis ◽  
B Green
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Behavioural Ecology ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Poor Understanding ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Water flux and field metabolic rate (FMR) were measured by the doubly labelled water (DLW) method in free-living male and female rufous rat-kangaroos Aepyprymnus rufescens near Drake in northern New South Wales. The mean FMR of 499 kJ kg-1 day-1 was similar in winter and summer even though the difference in mean minimum temperatures between the two seasons was 20-degrees-C. Furthermore, we did not find any differences in FMR between males and females even though several females carried large pouch young or had young-at-foot. A poor understanding of the diet and the behavioural ecology of A. rufescens makes ft difficult to explain the similarities between sexes and seasons.

Field Metabolism and Water Requirements of Spinifex Pigeons (Geophaps-Plumifera) in Western-Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Williams ◽  
D Bradshaw ◽  
L Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Phylogenetic Constraint ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
A Value ◽  
Maintenance Metabolism ◽  
North Western

Spinifex pigeons (Geophaps plumifera) are one of the few avian species that have evolved the capacity to reside in the hot and dry regions of central and north-western Australia. Previous investigation has revealed that their basal metabolic rate (BMR) equals only 68% of allometric prediction. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that these birds have a reduced field metabolic rate (FMR) and water influx as a result of their lowered BMR. We measured the FMR and water flux of free-living spinifex pigeons by means of the doubly labelled water method. Although body mass of free-living male and female pigeons differed significantly, with males weighing on average 90.8 +/- 7.7 g (+/- s.d.) and females 80.2 +/- 5.6 g, FMR was statistically indistinguishable between sexes. For sexes combined, FMR averaged 139.9 mL CO2 h-1, or 73.5 kJ day-1, a value 38.7% of allometric expectation. These data support the hypothesis that spinifex pigeons have a markedly reduced FMR, probably, in part, the result of a depressed BMR compared with other birds of similar size. Our phylogenetic analysis of the BMR of pigeons lacked sufficient data to determine whether a reduced BMR in Australian pigeons was the consequence of ecological adaptation or phylogenetic constraint. Water influx ranged from 2.5 to 39.0 mL day-1 and averaged 18.4 mL day-1. Of the total water intake, 83.5% came from drinking; their food, seeds, supplied about 4%. Maintenance metabolism, energy allocated to basal plus thermoregulatory metabolism, accounted for about 67% of the average FMR, indicating that the activity requires relatively low energy expenditure in these birds.

Water and Energy-Metabolism and Estimated Food-Consumption Rates of Free-Living Wambengers, Phascogale-Calura (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae)

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Green ◽  
D King ◽  
a Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Accidental Poisoning ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Water Fluxes ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Exotic Pests ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Lactating Females

The metabolic rates and water fluxes of free-living Phascogale calura were determined with doubly labelled water. The highest rates of water influx occurred in October, when the adult population consisted of lactating females only. The highest metabolic rates occurred in June, and the lowest rates of both water influx and metabolism occurred in March. The value of the data in designing toxic baits for the control of foxes or other exotic pests, while minimising the hazard to phascogales of accidental poisoning, is discussed.

Energy and Water Metabolism in Free-Living Greater Gliders, Petauroides-Volans

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ Foley ◽  
JC Kehl ◽  
KA Nagy ◽  
IR Kaplan ◽  
AC Borsboom
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Energy Losses ◽  
Water Metabolism ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Field Metabolic Rates

Water flux and metabolic rate were measured using a low-level, doubly-labelled water technique in eight free-living greater gliders, Petauroides volans which were maintaining constant body masses at about 1 kg in eucalypt forest near Maryborough, Queensland. Mean water influx was 88.0�3.2 mL d-' and mean metabolic rate was 25.1 L C02 d-' or 520 kJ d-'. These arboreal folivores have field metabolic rates and water influx rates that are 96% and 71% respectively of those predicted for a herbivorous marsupial of their body mass. Assuming that faecal energy losses were 43% of gross energy intakes and that urinary energy losses were 15% of digestible energy intakes, the gross energy intake of the animals was about 1130 kJ d-'. Animals would need to eat between 45 and 50 g of dry matter daily to satisfy these energy requirements. Based on these results, a preliminary energy budget for greater gliders has been proposed.

scholarly journals Estimation of energy expenditure in free-living red deer (Cervus elaphus) with the doubly-labelled water method

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Haggarty ◽  
J. J. Robinson ◽  
J. Ashton ◽  
E. Milne ◽  
C. L. Adam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Distribution Spaces ◽  
Living Adult

Energy expenditure was estimated using the doubly-labelled water (DLW) method in summer in five free-living adult, non-pregnant, non-lactating, red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds (weight 107.3 (se 0.9) kg; age 6 (se 1) years) on lowland pasture under typical farming conditions. Climatic conditions were monitored throughout the experiment. Errors due to 2H losses in CH4 and faeces were calculated from previous estimates of stoichiometries. CH4 production, fractionated water loss, urinary N and O2 consumption were estimated using an iterative approach. The water flux (rH2O) in these animals consuming only fresh grass was 12 (se 0.5) kg/d, the CO2 production (rCO2) was 1271 (se 4.0) litres/d and the mean energy expenditure was 25 (se 0.8) MJ/d. There were no significant differences in the isotope distribution spaces and flux rates, rH2O, rCO2 or energy expenditure using the multi-point or two-point approaches to calculation. The DLW-derived energy expenditure of 25 MJ/d is approximately 20% higher than the recommended intake of 21 MJ/d for adult hinds kept outdoors (Adam, 1986) and, at 757 kJ/kg0.75 per d, one third higher than the value of 570 kJ/kg0.75 per d for stags penned indoors (Key et al. 1984).

Water and Sodium Intake, and Estimated Food Consumption, in Free-Living Eastern Quolls, Dasyurus Viverrinus.

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 871 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Green ◽  
IH Eberhard
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sodium Influx ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Highly Correlated

Seasonal rates of water and sodium influx were estimated in free-living eastern quolls, Dasyurus viverrinus, in southern Tasmania, by means of tritiated water and 22Na turnover. Water and Na influxes were highly correlated and served as indices for estimating rates of food consumption. Influx rates were highest during winter and in late-stage lactating females in spring, indicating increased use of energy for thermogenesis and lactation. Comparative aspects of water turnover and metabolism in free-living marsupials are discussed.

scholarly journals Validating accelerometry-derived proxies of energy expenditure using the doubly-labelled water method in the smallest penguin species

Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. bio.055475
Author(s):  
G. J. Sutton ◽  
J. A. Botha ◽  
J. R. Speakman ◽  
J. P. Y. Arnould
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Travel Speed ◽  
Specific Energy Expenditure ◽  
Doubly Labelled Water ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Relationship

Understanding energy use is central to understanding an animal's physiological and behavioural ecology. However, directly measuring energy expenditure in free-ranging animals is inherently difficult. The doubly-labelled water (DLW) method is widely used to investigate energy expenditure in a range of taxa. Although reliable, DLW data collection and analysis is both financially costly and time consuming. Dynamic body acceleration (e.g. VeDBA) calculated from animal-borne accelerometers has been used to determine behavioural patterns, and is increasingly being used as a proxy for energy expenditure. Still its performance as a proxy for energy expenditure in free-ranging animals is not well established and requires validation against established methods. In the present study, the relationship between VeDBA and the at-sea metabolic rate calculated from DLW was investigated in little penguins (Eudyptula minor) using three approaches. Both in a simple correlation and activity-specific approaches were shown to be good predictors of at-sea metabolic rate. The third approach using activity-specific energy expenditure values obtained from literature did not accurately calculate the energy expended by individuals. However, all three approaches were significantly strengthened by the addition of mean horizontal travel speed. These results provide validation for the use of accelerometry as a proxy for energy expenditure and show how energy expenditure may be influenced by both individual behaviour and environmental conditions.

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