Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1986

Abstract

Standard rates of 02 consumption (Vo2) in the dark of Varanus gi/leni (mean mass = 30 g) were measured at 25, 31, 34, and 37 C. At 37 C, the mean value (195 ml 02 STPD kg-1 h-1) was 22% lower than that predicted by a regression equation for lizards as a group (Bennett and Dawson 1976). Despite appearing to be asleep, three- to fourfold elevations in standard Vo2 were seen in lizards with lightweight, transparent respiratory masks. Vo2 was also measured during treadmill exercise at speeds from 5 to 15 m min-1 and during bouts of maximal exercise. Varanus gilleni has the highest factorial aerobic scope (27.5) of any lizard examined to date. The cost of transport in V.gi/leni is relatively high and may relate to short limb length. Pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange (VE, Vo2, Vco2) were simultaneously measured at 25 C, during warming from 25 to 35 C, and again after several hours at 35 C. Air-convection requirements for C02 and 02 were independent of temperature. The patterns of lung ventilation suggest that arterial Pco2 and pH are constant with rising temperature, behavior that is common to that in large varanids and in contrast to that in other reptiles.

Publication Title

Physiological Zoology

Volume

59

Issue

1

First Page

76

Last Page

83

Required Publisher's Statement

© 1986 by The University of Chicago Press. Sponsored by the Division of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30156093

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Monitor lizards--Size; Metabolism--Testing; Aerobic exercises--Metabolism

Genre/Form

articles

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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