title: Basal metabolic rates in mammals: taxonomic differences in the allometry of BMR and body mass.
abstract: No single equation adequately describes the allometric relation between body mass and BMR for mammals. Least squares regression of log-transformed data for 248 eutherian species results in a line with a slope (-0.30) significantly different from that of Kleiber's line (-0.25). Interordinal comparisons of least squares regressions of log-transformed BMR and mass suggest that the Insectivora have a significantly steeper slope to their allometric relationship than do most other orders, while the non-insectivore orders are statistically homogeneous with respect to slope. With respect to elevation, Edentata have the lowest BMRs; Marsupialia, Primates and Chiroptera are indistinguishable from each other but above the edentates; Primates, Chiroptera, Rodentia, Lagomorpha and Carnivora form the next highest homogeneous grouping; and Artiodactyla have the highest BMRs, significantly greater than all but Lagomorpha and Carnivora. Analysis of intraordinal variation within the Rodentia suggests significant heterogeneity among families in BMR-mass allometry.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hayssen
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lacy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity