title: Energetics and behavior: unrequited needs and new directions.
abstract: The number of studies investigating links between among-individual differences in metabolic rate (MR) and behavior has grown dramatically in the past several years. A major and often untested assumption of these studies is that the selected measure of MR is a valid proxy for energetic constraints. We argue that without explicitly testing this assumption, observed patterns between MR and behavior are uninterpretable. We provide guidelines for evaluating how a given measure of MR relates to constraints on the acquisition or expenditure of energy. The approach we advocate will allow researchers to develop and test a priori predictions relating energy metabolism and behavior. We conclude by highlighting several exciting directions for future work in this rapidly growing field.
authors: Evolutionary Ecology of Variation Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard Gwinner Straβe, DE-82319 Seewiesen, Germany. Electronic address: kmathot@nioz.nl.
authors: Kimberley J
authors: KJ
authors: Mathot
authors: Evolutionary Ecology of Variation Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard Gwinner Straβe, DE-82319 Seewiesen, Germany; Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Groβhadener Straβe 2, DE-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Munich, Germany.
authors: Niels J
authors: NJ
authors: Dingemanse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: allocation model; animal personality; energetic constraints; energy management strategy; independent model; metabolic rate; performance model