Thermal acclimation, maximum metabolic rate, and nonshivering thermogenesis of Phyllotis xanthopygus (Rodentia) in the Andes mountains

Abstract

We determined non-shivering thermogensis (NST) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) as functions of thermal acclimation in a small mammal species in a seasonal environment. We studied the rodent Phyllotis xanthopygus (Muridae) living in the cool to cold climate of the high Andean Plateau of northern Chile. As expected, NST and MMR were constantly higher in cool-acclimated individuals. Nevertheless, the observed differences in shivering thermogenesis (ST) as a result of temperature acclimation (>200%) exceeded our expectations. The large contributions of ST was due to a 94% increase in MMR while a 49% of increased in NST. Thus, changes in ST in P. xanthopygus account for most of the metabolic plasticity and thermogenic capability that enables this species to cope with thermal variations in the Andean environment.