title: Temperature and meal size effects on the postprandial metabolism and energetics in a boid snake.
abstract: We investigated the combined effect of meal size and temperature on the aerobic metabolism and energetics of digestion in Boa constrictor amarali. Oxygen uptake rates (Vd2;o2) and the duration of the digestion were determined in snakes fed with meals equaling to 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% of the snake's body mass at 25 degrees and 30 degrees C. The maximum Vd2;o2 values attained during digestion were greater at 30 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Both maximal Vd2;o2 values and the duration of the specific dynamic action (SDA) were attained sooner at 30 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Therefore, the temperature effect on digestion in Boa is characterized by the shortening of the SDA duration at the expense of increased Vd2;o2. Energy allocated to SDA was not affected by meal size but was greater at 25 degrees C compared to 30 degrees C. This indicates that a postprandial thermophilic response can be advantageous not only by decreasing the duration of digestion but also by improving digestive efficiency. Maximal Vd2;o2 and SDA duration increased with meal size at both temperatures.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zoologia, c. p. 199, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo 13506-970, Brasil.
authors.forename: Luís Felipe
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Augusto S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Denis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D017821:Boidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature