Phenotypic flexibility in heat production and heat loss in response to thermal and hydric acclimation in the zebra finch, a small arid-zone passerine

To maintain constant body temperature (T-b) over a wide range of ambient temperatures (T-a) endothermic animals require large amounts of energy and water. In hot environments, the main threat to endothermic homeotherms is insufficient water to supply that necessary for thermoregulation. We investigated flexible adjustment of traits related to thermoregulation and water conservation during acclimation to hot conditions or restricted water availability, or both, in the zebra finch,Taeniopygia guttataa small arid-zone passerine. Using indirect calorimetry, we measured changes in whole animal metabolic rate (MR), evaporative heat loss (EHL) andT(b)before and after acclimation to 23 or 40 degrees C, with different availability of water. Additionally, we quantified changes in partitioning of EHL into respiratory and cutaneous avenues in birds exposed to 25 and 40 degrees C. In response to heat and water restriction zebra finches decreased MR, which together with unchanged EHL resulted in increased efficiency of evaporative heat loss. This facilitated more preciseT(b)regulation in heat-acclimated birds. Acclimation temperature and water availability had no effect on the partitioning of EHL into cutaneous or respiratory avenues. At 25 degrees C, cutaneous EHL accounted for similar to 60% of total EHL, while at 40 degrees C, its contribution decreased to similar to 20%. Consistent among-individual differences in MR and EHL suggest that these traits, provided that they are heritable, may be a subject to natural selection. We conclude that phenotypic flexibility in metabolic heat production associated with acclimation to hot, water-scarce conditions is crucial in response to changing environmental conditions, especially in the face of current and predicted climate change.

Automated summary

The study found that zebra finches can decrease metabolic rate to improve the efficiency of evaporative heat loss in response to heat and water restriction. Temperature acclimation and water availability did not affect the partitioning of evaporative heat loss, but the contribution of cutaneous evaporative heat loss varied at different temperatures. The consistent individual differences in metabolic rate and evaporative heat loss suggest that these traits may be subject to natural selection.