Water and energy economy of an omnivorous bird: population differences in the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis).
We investigated the intraspecific variation in basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total evaporative water loss (TEWL) in the omnivorous passerine Zonotrichia capensis from two populations inhabiting regions with different precipitation regimes and aridity indices. Values of TEWL in birds from the semi-arid region were significantly lower than those found in sparrows from the mesic region. TEWL in birds from the semi-arid site was 74% of the expectation based on body mass for passerines from mesic areas and similar to the allometric expectation for passerines from arid environments. In sparrows from the mesic area, TEWL was higher than predicted by their body mass for passerines from arid environments (133%), but very close (97%) to the expectation for passerines from mesic areas. BMR values were 25% lower in sparrows from the semi-arid region. The lower TEWL and BMR of birds from the semi-arid region may be a physiological adjustment that allows them to cope with fewer resources and/or water. We propose that the lower endogenous heat production in birds from the semi-arid environment may decrease their water requirements.
Sabat
Pablo
P
Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile. psabat@uchile.cl
Cavieres
Grisel
G
Veloso
Claudio
C
Canals
Mauricio
M
D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D003889:Desert Climate; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004777:Environment; D011153:Population; D046370:Sparrows / Q000378:metabolism*; D022722:Thermogenesis; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
D014867:Water