Summary
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1.
Manipulations of hypothalamic temperature (T hy) in California quail produced no significant changes in metabolic rate (MR) from the non-manipulated state (Figs. 1 and 2; Table 1).
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2.
MR was significantly influenced by ambient temperature (T a), with MR decreasing asT a increased (Figs. 2 and 3, Table 1).
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3.
Vasomotor responses to manipulations ofT hy were elicited during 41% of the response opportunities. Vasomotor responsiveness appeared to be most active at aT a of 30°C due to a decrease in thresholdT hy for vasodilation asT a increased. AtT a's of 10°C and 20°C, the birds maintained a constant vasoconstriction during most experiments (Figs. 1, 4, 5; Table 2).
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4.
Results from this study indicate that hypothalamic thermosensitivity plays no significant role in thermoregulation in California quail other than being a possible defense against severe brain hyperthermia. The significance of these results is discussed with regard to the divergent evolution of mammalian and avian thermoregulatory systems.
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Snapp, B.D., Heller, H.C. & Gospe, S.M. Hypothalamic thermosensitivity in California quail (Lophortyx californicus). J Comp Physiol B 117, 345–357 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691560
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691560