Influence of environmental factors on the deep and skin temperature in the European bison, Bison bonasus (L.).
1. In 43 European bison divided into three groups (Group A, 3-8-month-old calves; Group B, 18-month-7-year-old young bison; Group C, 12-24-year-old bison) the rectal, humerus region and abdomen region temperatures were measured. 2. The experiments were carried out in winter months, from mid-December to mid-March. 3. The mean rectal temperatures changed from 38.55 degrees C in calves to 38.15 degrees C in the oldest bison. 4. The mean temperatures of the humerus region changed from 20.69 degrees C in calves to 21.49 degrees C in older bison. 5. The mean temperatures of the abdomen region changed from 20.79 degrees C in calves to 22.17 degrees C in older bison (Gr. B). 6. The cluster analysis divided the bison into four groups named hot, warm, cool and cold bison. 7. Only air temperature measured 2 m above the ground and snow cover influenced the integrated bison temperature. Age, sex and mass as well as some environmental factors had no influence. 8. Measurements made 1 to nearly 4 hr after a bison's death showed a drop in rectal temperature and mostly increases in temperatures of the humerus and abdomen regions.
Gill
J
J
Department of Vertebrate Animal Physiology, University of Warsaw, Poland.
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D016164:Bison / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature