title: Aspects of temperature regulation in harp seal pups evaluated by in vivo experiments and computer simulations.
abstract: Temperature regulation in harp seal pups (Pagophilus groenlandicus) has been studied by in vivo measurements of oxygen consumption, body temperatures and in vitro determinations of the thermal values of a fur sample. The experimental animals were restrained and exposed to natural wheather conditions. Solar irradiance above 600 W/m (global radiation) caused hyperthermia. Computer simulations based on the thermal values of the fur indicated that heat dissipation from primarily the limbs is a prerequisite for avoiding hyperthermia under natural weather conditions. Further simulations showed that the lower critical temperature of a lean newborn harp seal pup with standard metabolism is only--1 degree C while it is depressed to--59 degree C as the pup grows, aquire a 10 cm thick layer of blubber and the metabolism increases to 1.5 times standard. High metabolism and tolerance to low deep body temperatures (35 degree C) seems a prerequisite for thermal balance in the harp seal pup under cold conditions.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002170:Canada; D010872:Caniformia / Q000502:physiology*; D003201:Computers; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000502:physiology*; D013472:Sunlight; D013696:Temperature; D014919:Wind