MAXIMUM COLD-INDUCED ENERGY ASSIMILATION IN A RODENT, APODEMUS-FLAVICOLLIS

Maximum cold-induced rate of energy assimilation in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (BM = 28 g) was about 90 kJ/d in nonacclima ted individuals and about 115 kJ/d in individuals cold-acclimated for 10 to 15 days. This is much less than maximum short-term heat producti on rates (200 kJ/d) measured in previous studies, The results are cons istent with the ''central limitation'' model of energy budgets limitat ion. It is suggested that the pattern of limitation depends on the lif e style of a species, The results do not support the hypothesis of a d irect intraspecific correlation between the minimum costs of maintenan ce, evaluated as BMR, and maximum sustainable energy budgets.