Journal
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
Volume 36, Issue 7, Pages 376-379Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2011.08.001
Keywords
Endothermy; Hibernation; Homeothermy; Torpor
Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada)
- Australian Research Council
- National Research Foundation (South Africa)
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Boyles et al. (this issue) argue against the use of body temperature (T-b) thresholds to quantify the expression of torpor in endotherms and our purpose is to provide a counterpoint argument. We contend that Tb thresholds provide valuable information about ecological factors influencing the evolution of thermoregulation. We also point out shortcomings of the so-called heterothermy index proposed as an alternative. However, to be clear, we do agree with Boyles et al. (this issue) that the use of torpor thresholds can limit some aspects of the study of thermoregulation and applaud the more widespread incorporation of theoretical underpinnings proposed by Boyles et al. (this issue) and others. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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