鸟类夜栖地选择研究进展

夜栖地可以为鸟类提供安全、舒适、温暖的夜间栖息场所。昼行性鸟类夜间视觉能力较差,对夜栖环境中潜在的威胁感知程度较低,导致其夜栖时常常处于被动和危险的环境中。鸟类通过选择适宜的夜栖地,进而达到充分利用夜栖地空间资源的目的。本文从鸟类夜栖地选择的行为适应性以及保温性、食物因子和安全性(隐蔽性)等3个影响因素,对国内外鸟类夜栖地选择相关研究进行综述,为今后该领域的研究提供更多思路。     

人工巢箱条件下杂色山雀的巢位选择及其对繁殖成功率的影响

杂色山雀(Parus varius)是一种分布区域极其狭窄的小型森林洞巢鸟类,种群数量稀少,在中国大陆仅见繁殖于辽宁省的东南部山区和毗邻辽宁的吉林省西南部山区,为当地留鸟.为了探讨巢址选择对杂色山雀繁殖的影响,找出影响杂色山雀繁殖成功率的巢址选择方面的主要因子,于2009-2011年3-7月,在辽宁省仙人洞国家级自然保护区通过悬挂人工巢箱,进行杂色山雀对人工巢箱的巢址选择以及不同的巢址对杂色山雀繁殖成功率的影响研究.研究表明:杂色山雀多在针阔混交林中活动和繁殖,对位于赤松与蒙古栎混交林中的巢箱有一定偏好.野外共发现24巢杂色山雀在人工巢箱中繁殖,其中15巢繁殖成功,9巢繁殖失败.对杂色山雀利用的巢址样方主成分分析表明,巢位因子( 19.826％)、乔木因子(17.571％)、灌木因子(13.11％)、光照因子(11.587％)、隐蔽因子(10.562％)和边缘效应因子(7.572％)是影响杂色山雀对人工巢箱选择的重要因子.利用巢箱与对照巢箱相比,两者在距水源距离、距路距离、乔木平均高度、灌木平均高度和植被类型这5个环境变量上存在显著差异.繁殖成功巢与繁殖失败巢相比,繁殖成功的巢箱所在位置距路稍远,坡度较高,乔木最大高度较高,灌木盖度略低于繁殖失败巢箱.人为干扰和天敌捕食是造成杂色山雀繁殖失败的主要原因.以上研究结果表明,巢向偏南、距地面2 m以上、周围乔木高大、灌木平均高度大于1.5m、盖度在45％-55％之间、距水源20 m左右、距路20 m以外的位于针阔混交林边缘的巢箱是杂色山雀繁殖的最优巢址.目前杂色山雀的种群数量还很稀少,希望本研究能对这一珍稀鸟类的保护提供重要参考.     

影响鸟类生殖内分泌的环境因子概述

生殖内分泌是调控鸟类繁殖行为的重要生理过程,环境因子则是影响鸟类生殖内分泌的关键因素。光周期是调节大多数温带鸟类生殖内分泌的关键环境因子。日照延长可作用于下丘脑一垂体一性腺轴（HPG）刺激繁殖活跃,日照缩短则刺激下丘脑释放GnIH抑制繁殖。在沙漠、热带地区以及食物条件不可预见的地区,降雨、食物及温度也可成为影响鸟类生殖内分泌的重要因素。环境内分泌干扰物等人类活动因素也会对野生鸟类的生殖内分泌产生一定的影响。     

白头鹎体温、体重及能量代谢的昼夜节律

动物的生理昼夜节律是对环境昼夜变化的一种重要适应。为探讨白头鹎(Pycnonotus sinensis)体温、体重及能量代谢的昼夜节律变化,采用数字式温度计、电子天平及封闭式流体压力呼吸仪,测定了白头鹎的日体温、日体重和昼夜基础代谢率(BMR)。结果发现:白头鹎日体温及日体重变化存在显著差异,其中夜间体温明显低于白昼,并在4:00时体温呈现最低值;而白头鹎夜间体重显著低于白昼,在4:00时达到最小值,在18:00时达到最大值。另外,白头鹎的BMR也表现出了明显的昼夜差异,夜间BMR显著低于白昼。表明白头鹎体温、体重及能量代谢存在显著的昼夜节律变化,并调节达到自身生理能量平衡,从而适应昼夜环境变化。     

全缘叶绿绒蒿的花内热量来源和温度调节功能

为探究全缘叶绿绒蒿( Meconopsis integrifolia )的花内热量来源和温度调节功能,该研究选择在全缘叶绿绒蒿的巴朗山居群,对其进行遮阴及去瓣处理,并采用红外热像仪监测全缘叶绿绒蒿的花内微环境温度日变化及花器官温度,用环境温度计监测环境温度。结果表明:(1)太阳照射显著提高全缘叶绿绒蒿花内微环境温度和花器官温度,全缘叶绿绒蒿的热量主要来源于太阳辐射。花内微环境昼夜温差显著低于环境昼夜温差,全缘叶绿绒蒿的花具有温度调节功能。(2)白天环境温度较高时,太阳照射显著提高全缘叶绿绒蒿花内微环境温度,花瓣会降低花内微环境温度; 夜间环境温度较低时,花瓣闭合会提高花内微环境温度; 花瓣闭合运动降低了花内微环境昼夜温差,产生了保温效果。(3)在太阳照射下,花器官温度差异显著,雌雄蕊温度显著高于花瓣温度,且花器官温度由雌蕊柱头中心点向外递减,全缘叶绿绒蒿能有效调控花器官各部位的温度。综上认为,全缘叶绿绒蒿的花内热量来源于太阳辐射,主要通过花瓣闭合运动降低花内微环境昼夜温差并能在太阳照射下调节各花器官的温度实现温度调节功能。     

丝光椋鸟的代谢产热特征及体温调节的日周期变化

为探讨丝光椋鸟(Sturnus sericeuts)代谢产热特征及体温调节的日周期变化,本研究采用开放式氧气分析仪及数字式温度计,测定了丝光椋鸟24 h体温、体重(Mb)和基础代谢率(BMR)的连续变化.结果显示,丝光椋鸟体温、体重及代谢率的日周期变化存在显著差异.丝光椋鸟夜间体温明显低于白昼,其中体温在凌晨5时降至(40.4±0.1)℃;体重昼夜变化明显,且在20:00～次日6:00时雌雄丝光椋鸟体重的下降与时间分别存在明显的线性关系,雌性为Mb=83.46(±0.12)-0.41(±0.02)t(R2=0.992,P＜0.01);雄性为Mb =76.74(±0.15)-0.39(±0.02)t(R2=0.986,P＜0.01)(式中的t代表时间).丝光椋鸟的BMR在凌晨4时降至最低,为(1.96±0.06) ml/(g·h).结果表明,丝光椋鸟通过内源性的调节,即夜间降低体温、体重及代谢率等途径,调节生理能量平衡,从而适应昼夜环境变化.     

嫩江高峰林区鸟类迁徙与气象因子的相关性初探

2001～2010年在黑龙江省嫩江县高峰林场开展了鸟类环志研究工作,共环志鸟类173种238672只,其中春季142种102285只,秋季147种136387只,隶属14目41科。春季以小鹀Emberiza pusilla、红胁蓝尾鸲Tar-siger cyanurus、黄眉柳莺Phylloscopus inornatus、栗鹀E.rutila、黄眉鹀E.chrysophrys、燕雀Fringilla montifringilla、田鹀E.rustica、黄雀Carduelis spinus等8种为迁徙鸟类的优势种,累计75145只,占春季环志数量的73.5%;秋季以白腰朱顶雀Carduelis flammea、黄雀、田鹀、燕雀、黄眉柳莺、煤山雀Parus ater、北朱雀Carpodacus roseus等7种为迁徙鸟类的优势种,累计99335只,占秋季环志数量的72.8%。利用统计软件对气象因子中的平均气温、日最高气温、日最低气温、平均水汽压、日最低气压、日最高气压、相对湿度、地面平均温度、平均风速、最大风速、最大风速的风向、日照时数与春秋季迁徙鸟类的优势种的相关性进行了分析,发现地面平均温度、日最高气温与鸟类迁徙的相关性很强。在春季,与鸟类迁徙的相关性很强的还有日最高气压,而秋季则是日照时数。相对湿度在鸟类迁徙中呈很强的负相关。     

食物质量差异对树麻雀能量预算和消化道形态特征的影响

为比较小型鸟类对不同食物的能量预算策略,本文对3组树麻雀(Passer monanus)进行2周的食物质量差异性驯化(Acclimation)。结果表明,相同和较低的生存压力下,树麻雀体重、体温、体脂含量和水分含量表现出显著的组间差异。高能食物组摄入能和可消化能增加极显著,消化率和同化率增加不显著,体内能量储备增加;低能食物组摄入能、可消化能、消化率和同化率降低极显著,体内能量储备消耗极显著。小肠和总消化道长度以及肝脏重量出现极显著的表型可塑性响应。体内能量储备增减的预算,能量摄入和能量转化器官的功能能力与自身能耗之间的预算,以及摄食低能食物时的节能预算都是树麻雀能量预算策略的重要组成部分。总之,树麻雀对不同含能食物采用不同的能量预算策略,器官水平的表型可塑性(phenotypic plasticity)响应是个体能值出现显著变化的基础,也是个体能量预算策略成功的关键。对不同食物采用不同的能量预算策略是树麻雀重要的生存对策。     

树麻雀代谢率和器官重量在光周期驯化中的变化

为探讨光周期对树麻雀代谢产热和代谢器官变化的影响,对成年树麻雀 Passer montanus 进行温度为25℃、两种光周期16 L:8 D(LD组)和8 L:16 D(SD组)4周的气候箱驯化后,测定其体重、基础代谢率(BMR)、体脂和水分含量,以及各器官、组织的鲜重和干重.结果 显示,SD组麻雀BMR显著大于LD组,作为代谢活性器官的消化道显著增生是其BMR显著增加的主要原因之一;麻雀通过增加体重和能量储备物脂肪来实现对较长黑暗环境的适应是其成功的生存策略.SD组麻雀体重的显著增加和水分含量显著降低,说明短光照的刺激引起麻雀能量储备的增加和代谢活性器官消化道增生.光周期驯化的结果验证了"中心限制假说",即麻雀体内存在着与BMR相关的"代谢机器",中心器官(消化道)是改变麻雀BMR的基础之一.     

捷蜥蜴新疆种群的生理体温调节能力

以我国新疆地区分布的捷蜥蜴(Lacerta agilis)为研究对象,于2013年5月份采集成体,在实验室内饲养和繁殖,2013年11—12月间,采用直接测量泄殖腔温度的方法研究捷蜥蜴体温的日变化节律,分析体温与头体长、体重等形态特征的相关性,探讨环境温度对不同年龄和性别个体生理体温调节能力的影响。结果表明,在18~22℃室温条件下,捷蜥蜴两性间的日平均体温无显著差异,体温具有显著的日变化节律;体温与头体长及体重均无显著相关性,与环境温度呈线性正相关,比环境温度高(0.89±0.16)℃;捷蜥蜴体温与环境温度的线性回归方程y=kx+b与y=x两条直线相交,当环境温度高于交点温度时,捷蜥蜴的体温低于环境温度,当环境温度低于交点温度时,捷蜥蜴的体温高于环境温度;幼体的生理体温调节能力较强,而雌性的生理体温调节能力较弱。尽管揭示了捷蜥蜴体温的日变化规律和同环境温度的关系,但捷蜥蜴体温的生理调节和行为调节之间的相互关系有待于进一步研究。     

Nocturnal loss of body reserves reveals high survival risk for subordinate great tits wintering at extremely low ambient temperatures

Winter acclimatization in birds is a complex of several strategies based on metabolic adjustment accompanied by long-term management of resources such as fattening. However, wintering birds often maintain fat reserves below their physiological capacity, suggesting a cost involved with excessive levels of reserves. We studied body reserves of roosting great tits in relation to their dominance status under two contrasting temperature regimes to see whether individuals are capable of optimizing their survival strategies under extreme environmental conditions. We predicted less pronounced loss of body mass and body condition and lower rates of overnight mortality in dominant great tits at both mild and extremely low ambient temperatures, when ambient temperature dropped down to ?43 °C. The results showed that dominant great tits consistently maintained lower reserve levels than subordinates regardless of ambient temperature. However, dominants responded to the rising risk of starvation under low temperatures by increasing their body reserves, whereas subdominant birds decreased reserve levels in harsh conditions. Yet, their losses of body mass and body reserves were always lower than in subordinate birds. None of the dominant great tits were found dead, while five young females and one adult female were found dead in nest boxes during cold spells when ambient temperatures dropped down to ?43 °C. The dead great tits lost up to 23.83 % of their evening body mass during cold nights while surviving individuals lost on average 12.78 % of their evening body mass. Our results show that fattening strategies of great tits reflect an adaptive role of winter fattening which is sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures and differs among individuals of different social ranks.     

Fattening strategies of wintering great tits support the optimal body mass hypothesis under conditions of extremely low ambient temperature

1.  In a seasonal environment, subcutaneous energy reserves of resident animals often increase in winter and decline again in summer reflecting gradual seasonal changes in their fattening strategies. We studied changes in body reserves of wintering great tits in relation to their dominance status under two contrasting temperature regimes to see whether individuals are capable of optimizing their body mass even under extreme environmental conditions.
2.  We predicted that dominant individuals will carry a lesser amount of body reserves than subordinate great tits under mild conditions and that the body reserves of the same dominant individuals will increase and exceed the amount of reserves of subordinates under conditions of extremely low ambient temperatures, when ambient temperature dropped down to −37 °C.
3.  The results confirmed the predictions showing that dominant great tits responded to the rising risk of starvation under low temperatures by increasing their body reserves and this was done at the expense of their safety.
4.  Removal experiments revealed that lower body reserves of subordinate flock members are due to the increased intraspecific competition for food under low ambient temperatures.
5.  Our results also showed that fattening strategies of great tits may change much quicker than previously considered, reflecting an adaptive role of winter fattening which is sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures.     

The costs of being cool: a dynamic model of nocturnal hypothermia by small food-caching birds in winter

Many birds could expend substantially less energy at night by using hypothermia, but generally do not. This suggests that the potential savings are offset by costs; one of these costs is presumed to be the risk of predation at night. If this assumption is correct, a bird will face one of two tradeoffs: (1) it can avoid the cost of hypothermia by gaining fat to decrease the risk of starvation, but this increases energetic costs of fat maintenance and risk of diurnal predation, or (2) it can maintain lower fat reserves and use hypothermia at night, but this option increases the risk of nocturnal predation. We used a dynamic model to investigate these trade-offs and how the use of nocturnal hypothermia changes energy management tactics in food-caching birds. Our model predicted that: (i) optimal daily routines of fat reserves, feeding rate, food caching, and cache retrieval should be similar in hypothermic and non-hypothermic birds; (ii) low fat reserves, small cache size, low ambient temperature, and high variability in foraging success favor increased use of hypothermia; (iii) the effect of ambient temperature on the use of hypothermia is especially important at higher levels of variance in foraging success; (iv) hypothermic birds are predicted to have lower mass at dusk than non-hypothermic individuals while their morning mass should be more similar. Many of these predictions have been supported by empirical data. Also, survival rates are predicted to be higher for birds using hypothermia, especially in the most severe environmental conditions. This is the first attempt to evaluate the role of cache maintenance and variance in foraging success in the use of hypothermia. This is also the first discussion of the relationship between behavior hypothermia and diurnal patterns of energy management.     

渐变的光周期和温度对布氏田鼠能量代谢和身体成分的影响

为探讨在同时逐渐缩短光照时间和降低温度的过程中,动物能量代谢水平和身体成分的适应性变化, 我们以成年雄性布氏田鼠为对象, 测定了温度为20℃ 和光周期为12L:12D (对照组),以及从温度为20℃ 和长光照条件(16L:8D)逐渐转换到温度为4℃ 和短光照条件(8L:16D)的过程中(实验组), 其体重、静止代谢率和能量摄入的变化, 以及经过8 周驯化后身体器官和组织重量的变化。结果发现:实验组动物的体重增长率低于对照组。在驯化期间, 静止代谢率无组内和组间差异。实验组动物的干物质摄入、能量摄入和消化能等组内差异不明显, 但对照组动物在驯化的第8 周显著降低。实验组动物的能量摄入水平在驯化后显著升高;小肠和胃的干重, 以及小肠和心脏等器官的湿重也都显著高于对照组。结果表明,布氏田鼠能够采取降低体重、增加能量摄入和调整体内某些器官和组织重量的方式来适应变化的环境条件。     

New findings in body mass regulation in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) in response to photoperiod and temperature

Small birds in temperate zones increase body mass in winter (Lehikoinen, 1987). We investigated daily and annual variation of body mass and fat reserves of locally-reared Australian zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata , by exposing them to different photoperiods, feeding periods, and temperatures.
Experiments with long and short photoperiods and long and short feeding periods, showed that long photoperiods increased body mass and fat reserves of the zebra finches, and readiness to breed, independently of the actual feeding period.
Furthermore, the zebra finches in indoor aviaries with constant temperature (22-24°C) and in outdoor aviaries with ambient temperature, both exposed to the natural daylength changes of Bielefeld, Germany (52 °N), had high dawn body mass in summer (12.9 and 12.0-12.4g, respectively) and low in winter (10.7 and 11.1 g, respectively). Thirty to sixty percent of these mass changes were related to changes in fat reserves, so that the finches had only 0.1-0.2g of metabolizable fat reserves in short photoperiods (or in winter), which increased up to 1.5g in long photoperiods (or in summer).
Indoor finches consumed more seeds in summer than in winter (3.3 vs. 2.7g/day), while outdoor finches consumed 4-5g of seeds per day throughout the year, which probably represented the limit of energy intake for a 11-13g bird (Kirkwood, 1983). Nightly mass loss, increasing from 0.7g in summer up to 2.0g in winter, was highly positively correlated with night length, not influenced by ambient temperature. Foraging before dawn and after dusk, roosting with well-filled crops, and decreasing body mass and fat reserves, seem to be adaptations of zebra finches for survival in winter. The summer fattening probably accelerates reproduction in this opportunistic breeder, by allocating more time to reproductive behaviour and more endogenous nutrients to egg-formation.     

Lower critical temperature and cold-induced thermogenesis of lean and overweight humans are inversely related to body mass and basal metabolic rate

It is colloquially stated that body size plays a role in the human response to cold, but the magnitude and details of this interaction are unclear. To explore the inherent influence of body size on cold-exposed metabolism, we investigated the relation between body composition and resting metabolic rate in humans at thermoneutrality and during cooling within the nonshivering thermogenesis range. Body composition and resting energy expenditure were measured in 20 lean and 20 overweight men at thermoneutrality and during individualized cold exposure. Metabolic rates as a function of ambient temperature were investigated considering the variability in body mass and composition. We observed an inverse relationship between body size and the lower critical temperature (LCT), i.e. the threshold where thermoneutrality ends and cold activates thermogenesis. LCT was higher in lean than overweight subjects (22.1 ± 0.6 vs 19.5 ± 0.5 °C, p < 0.001). Below LCT, minimum conductance was identical between lean and overweight (100 ± 4 vs 97 ± 3 kcal/°C/day respectively, p = 0.45). Overweight individuals had higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) explained mostly by the higher lean mass, and lower cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) per degree of cold exposure. Below thermoneutrality, energy expenditure did not scale to lean body mass. Overweight subjects had lower heat loss per body surface area (44.7 ± 1.3 vs 54.7 ± 2.3 kcal/°C/m²/day, p < 0.001). We conclude that larger body sizes possessed reduced LCT as explained by higher BMR related to more lean mass rather than a change in whole-body conductance. Thus, larger individuals with higher lean mass need to be exposed to colder temperatures to activate CIT, not because of increased insulation, but because of a higher basal heat generation. Our study suggests that the distinct effects of body size and composition on energy expenditure should be taken in account when exploring the metabolism of humans exposed to cold.     

Coal tits increase evening body mass in response to tawny owl calls

Current theory predicts small birds should have a reduced body mass when daytime predation risk is high. However, the influence that nighttime predators might have on changes in body mass or daytime foraging behaviour has not been addressed. We therefore studied the effect of changes in perceived nocturnal predation risk on the body mass of captive coal tits. In a soundproof room, eight coal tits were housed in individual cages and an experiment was performed in which the birds were subjected to two treatments. First, morning and evening body mass was monitored following nights that were quiet. Second, these parameters were measured following nights when the call of a tawny owl had been played once per hour. Evening body mass was 3% greater on days following owl-disturbed nights, but morning body masses did not differ between treatments. To ensure this result was a response to the owl calls per se, and not a general response to increased disturbance, a second experiment was necessary. Here the coal tits were exposed hourly to the calls of a nightjar, a non-predatory nocturnal bird, but no increases in body mass were observed compared to quiet nights. We suggest the coal tits increased body mass in response to owl calls to offset increased nighttime energy expenditure in attentive behaviour. Received: 26 July 1999 / Received in revised form: 30 October 1999 / Accepted: 29 November 1999     

暖温经历对雌性黑线仓鼠能量代谢、产热和体脂含量的影响

能量代谢的生理调节是小型哺乳动物应对不同环境温度的重要策略之一,为探讨暖温下代谢产热在体重和体脂适应性调节中的作用和机理,本研究将雌性黑线仓鼠(Cricetulus barabensis)暴露于暖温(30°C)1个月、3个月和4个月,测定体重、摄入能、代谢产热、体脂含量、褐色脂肪组织(BAT)细胞色素c氧化酶(COX)活性和解偶联蛋1 (UCP1) mRNA表达等。结果显示,暖温对黑线仓鼠体重无显著影响,但使脂肪含量显著增加。与室温组相比(21°C),暖温组消化率显著升高,但摄入能和消化能显著降低;暖温下非颤抖性产热(NST)显著降低,脑、肝脏和心脏COX活性、BAT COX活性和UCP1 mRNA的表达显著下调。结果表明,暖温下降低代谢产热补偿了能量摄入的减少,机体处于正能量平衡状态,是脂肪含量显著增加的主要原因之一。脑、肝脏、心脏和BAT代谢活性降低是代谢产热降低的主要机制,与脂肪累积有关。     

Body reserves and nutritional needs during laying preparation in barn owls

To investigate the composition of the body reserves made during pre-laying by breeding European barn owls (Tyto alba), we have analysed the body composition of captive breeding and non-breeding females sacrificed during the laying period. The data obtained were compared to the daily requirement for egg formation obtained by an egg composition analysis and the timing of egg synthesis. This study demonstrates that body mass gain observed in breeding females (+38.3 g after eggs in formation and gonadal tractus were removed) was not the consequence of an accumulation of body fuels like lipids but of mainly water and lean material. The lipidic reserves were found to be less important in breeding than in non-breeding females and their localisation modified; lipids were absent from medullar bones in breeding females which liberated room for other storage. The subcutaneous tissue, which was homogeneous in non-breeding females, was located principally under the brood patch in breeding females. Nutrients and energy required during egg formation could be obtained without modification of daily food intake. These results show that a laying event can be initiated in 14 days and that the onset of reproduction is not triggered by body condition in barn owls. The water accumulation observed is suggested to be the mere consequence of an increase of protein metabolism (egg and moult). These results intimate that the body mass increase observed in diurnal and nocturnal raptors during laying preparation, interpreted as an energy safety strategy, ought to be reconsidered. Accepted: 25 February 2000     

Thermoconformity strategy in the freshwater turtle Hydromedusa tectifera (Testudines,Chelidae) in its southern distribution area

Ectotherm species are not capable of generating metabolic heat; therefore, they present different strategies for regulating their body temperatures, ranging from a precise degree of thermoregulation to a passive thermoconformity with ambient temperatures. In reptiles, aerial basking is the most common mechanism for gaining heat. However, among aquatic reptiles, such as freshwater turtles, aquatic basking is also frequent. Hydromedusa tectifera is a turtle of exclusively aquatic and nocturnal habits widely distributed in South America. We studied the relationship between body temperature (Tb) of H. tectifera and its habitat, and explored the effects of sex, life stage and body size and mass on Tb. Fieldwork was conducted in two streams of a mountain area of central Argentina. We recorded cloacal temperature, size and mass of 84 turtles. We also determined individuals’ sex and life stage (adult/juvenile). Regarding ambient temperatures, we measured water temperature on the surface (Tsurf) and at depth of turtle capture (Tdepth) and air temperature. Mean Tb was 18.58 °C (Min = 10.20 °C; Max = 25.70 °C). Tsurf and Tdepth were highly correlated. Multi-model analysis using Akaike criterion indicated that Tb was strongly associated with water temperature, whereas air temperature and body size and mass did not show a significant effect. There was also no effect of turtle sex or life stage on Tb. Our results indicate that H. tectifera is a thermoconformer and eurythermal species. A nocturnal pattern of activity and a fully aquatic lifestyle are suggested as determinant factors.