Proximate, caloric, nitrogen and mineral composition of bodies of some tropical bats.
Proximate (live mass, water, lipid, ash, non-fat organic), caloric, nitrogen, and mineral (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron) concentrations and total body content of individuals of 24 species of Neotropical and Paleotropical bats were determined. Mass-related, concentration patterns were found for all measured variables, except iron. Concentrations increase with size for nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium but are concave, opening upward, for sodium and potassium. These last two elements reach minimal concentrations in bats weighing about 22 and 28 g dry mass, respectively. Total body content of nitrogen and minerals was compared with amounts in similar-sized birds and tetrapodal mammals.
Department of Biology, University of Michigan-Flint 48502-2186, USA.
E H
EH
Studier
S H
SH
Sevick
D E
DE
Wilson
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005426:Flight, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013045:Species Specificity; D014329:Tropical Climate
D008903:Minerals; D009584:Nitrogen