title: Temporal and temperature effects on the maximum rate of rewarming from hibernation.
abstract: During hibernation animals oscillate from near ambient (T(a)) to euthermic body temperatures (T(b)). As animals arouse, the rate of rewarming (RRW) might be expected to simply increase as a function of time. We monitored the T(b) of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) housed at 4, 8, 12, and 16 degrees C during natural arousals. The maximum RRW, the time required to reach a maximum RRW, and the relative time index all demonstrated negative relationships with T(a). The T(b) corresponding to maximal RRW demonstrated a positive relationship with T(a). Squirrels reached maximal RRW when they had generated 30 to 40% of the heat required to reach a euthermic T(b). These data suggest that arousal is more constrained than expected and that both time and temperature influence the RRW.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004.
authors.forename: Jenifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Utz
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Velickovska
authors.forename: Anastacia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shmereva
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Breukelen