Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1992

Abstract

Evaporative water loss (EWL), oxygen concumption (V0 ), and body temperature (Tb) of Anna's 2 Hummingbirds (Calypte anna; ca. 4.5 g) were measured at combinations of ambient temperature (T J and water vapor density (Qva) ranging from 20 to 37 °C and 2 to 27 g · m-3 , respectively. The EWL decreased linearly with increasing eva at all temperatures. The slopes ofleast squares regression lines relating EWL to Qva at different temperatures were not significantly different and averaged -0.50mg H20·m-3 ·g-2 ·h-1 (range: -0.39 to -0.61). Increased Qva restricted EWL in C. anna more than has been reported for other endotherms in dry air. The percent of metabolic heat production dissipated by evaporation (HJHm) was lower than that of other birds in dry air, but higher than that for other birds at high humidity when T.<33 °C. When T.>33 °C the effect of humidity on H0/Hm was similar to that in other birds. Calypte anna might become slightly hyperthermic at T.> 37 °C, which could augment heat transfer by increasing the Tb-Ta gradient. Body temperature for C. anna in this study was 43 °C (intramuscular) at T.s between 25 and 35 °C, which is above average for birds. It is estimated that field EWL is less than 30% of daily water loss in C. anna under mild temperature conditions ( < 35 °C).

Comments

Originally published in the Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 162:74-84, 1992.

http://www.journals.elsevier.com/comparative-biochemistry-and-physiology-part-b-biochemistry-and-molecular-biology/

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