In:
Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Wiley, Vol. 4, No. 7 ( 2013-07), p. 619-628
Abstract:
The doubly labelled water method ( DLW ) is widely used to measure field metabolic rate ( FMR ), but it has some limitations. Here, we validate an innovative technique for measuring FMR by comparing the turnover of isotopic rubidium ( 86 R b k b ) with DLW depletion and the rate of CO 2 production ( ) measured by flow‐through respirometry (FTR) for two dunnart species ( M arsupialia: D asyuridae), S minthopsis macroura (17 g) and S minthopsis ooldea (10 g). The rate of metabolism as assessed by (FTR) and 86 R b k b was significantly correlated for both species ( S . macroura , r 2 = 0·81, P = 1·19 × 10 −5 ; S . ooldea , r 2 = 0·63, P = 3·84 × 10 −4 ), as was from FTR and DLW for S . macroura ( r 2 = 0·43, P = 0·039), but not for S . ooldea ( r 2 = 0·29, P = 0·168). There was no relationship between from DLW and 86 R b k b for either species ( S . macroura r 2 = 0·22, P = 0·169; S . ooldea r 2 = 0·21, P = 0·253). We conclude that 86 R b k b provided useful estimates of metabolic rate for dunnarts. Meta‐analysis provided different linear relationships between and 86 R b k b for endotherms and ectotherms, suggesting different proportionalities between metabolic rate and 86 R b k b for different taxa. Understanding the mechanistic basis for this correlation might provide useful insights into the cause of these taxonomic differences in the proportionality. At present, it is essential that the relationship between metabolic rate and 86 R b k b be validated for each taxon of interest. The advantages of the 86 R b technique over DLW include lower equipment requirements and technical expertise, and the longer time span over which measurements can be made. The 86 R b method might be particularly useful for estimating FMR of groups for which the assumptions of the DLW technique are compromised (e.g. amphibians, diving species and fossorial species), and groups that are practically challenging for DLW studies (e.g. insects).
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2041-210X
,
2041-210X
DOI:
10.1111/mee3.2013.4.issue-7
DOI:
10.1111/2041-210X.12056
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2528492-7
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