THE THERMAL BIOLOGY OF 3 SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELEPHANT-SHREWS

1. The thermal characteristics of Petradromus tetradactylus, Elephantu lus intufi and E. brachyrhynchus were investigated and compared with o ther elephant-shrews that occur in the southern African subregion. 2. E. intufi and E, brachyrhynchus appear to have lower than expected bas al metabolic rates (1.1185+/-0.1623 and 0.9649+/-0.1638 ml O-2 g(-1) h (-1), respectively) and high, narrow thermoneutral zones, similar to o ther elephant-shrews investigated previously. In contrast P. tetradact ylus has a basal metabolic rate (0.871+/-0.027 ml O-2 g(-1) h(-1)) clo se to expected for body mass, and a broad, low thermoneutral zone. 3. The thermal biology of macroscelids is discussed in terms of their dis tribution, microhabitat and body size.