Key Laboratory of Ecological Adaptive Evolution and Conservation on Animals-Plants in Southwest Mountain Ecosystem of Yunnan Province Higher Institutes College, School of Life Science of Yunnan Normal University, Kunming; 650500, China
Energy metabolism strategy in small mammals determines the species’ distribution, richness, reproduction success rate and survival adaptability. The balance between the acquisition and consumption of energy were essential for the survival, growth and reproduction of vertebrates, which depended on the balance between the intake, treatment, distribution and consumption of energy. Thermogenesis and thermoregulation of small mammals were closely related to their energy utilization, distribution, life history strategies and evolutionary pathways, reflecting the adaptation mode and physiological ability of animals to the environment. Basic metabolic rate (BMR) or resting metabolic rate (RMR), nonstivering thermogenesis (NST) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) were critical for the survival of small mammals.
Keywords:resting metabolic rate; basic metabolic rate; nonstivering thermogenesis; maximum metabolic rate