狭颅田鼠的代谢特征及体温调节

为探究草食性小型哺乳动物狭颅田鼠的代谢及体温特征,测定了栖息于呼伦贝尔草原地区的狭颅田鼠的体重、静止代谢率、热传导等生物学指标随环境温度的变化情况。结果表明:狭颅田鼠的平均体重为(20.8±0.8)g(n=12),基础代谢率为(1.85±0.05)mLO_2/(g·h),热中性区为27.5℃～35℃,热传导值为(0.19±0.03)mLO_2/(g·h·℃),热适应能力A<0(适应冷环境),适应途径指数I=0.8(热传导对调节体温影响更大)。狭颅田鼠具有低代谢率、低热传导和较宽的热中性区,在较大的温度变化范围内保持较低的能量代谢水平,这是生活于较高纬度寒冷地区的狭颅田鼠在长期进化过程中形成的主要生存对策之一。

The characteristics of metabolism and thermoregulation of Microtus gregalis

In order to study the metabolism and temperature characteristics of the small herbivorous mammal, Microtus gregalis, we measured changes of body weight, resting metabolic rate, heat conduction and other biological indices associated with changes in environmental temperature. The average body weight was (20.8 ± 0.8)g（n = 12）, the basal metabolic rate was (1.85 ± 0.05) mLO₂/(g?h), the thermal neutral zone was 27.5~35℃, the thermal conductance value was (0.19 ± 0.03) mLO₂/(g?h?℃), the thermal adaptability A < 0 (adapt to cold environment), the adaptation pathway index I = 0.8 thermal conductance effect on temperature regulation) ). Microtus gregalis has a low metabolic rate, low thermal conductance and a wide thermal neutral zone, and maintains a low level of energy metabolism in a wide range of temperature changes. This is one of the main survival strategies for Microtus gregalis living in cold regions at higher latitudes during long-term evolution.