R. Prinzinger, LIFE-SPAN IN BIRDS AND THE AGING THEORY OF ABSOLUTE METABOLIC SCOPE, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology, 105(4), 1993, pp. 609-615
1. Maximum lifespan A (in years) in birds can be described by the foll
owing allometric exponential functions (W = body mass in g): wild bird
s A(w) = 4.75 x W0.17 (N = 821); captive birds A(c) = 5.1 x W0.23 (N =
131). 2. The orders Lariformes, Accipitriformes, Psittaciformes and S
trigiformes have physiological life spans clearly above the expected v
alues. The orders Galliformes and Piciformes lay clearly below the exp
ected range. 3. Different physiological times T(p) show allometric cor
relations (N = 91) with a mean mass-exponent of 0.25; mean metabolic r
ate M over a broad range of systematic taxa (N = 146), on the other ha
nd, correlates with body mass with an exponent of -0.25. 4. The produc
t of T(p) x M is a mass-independent (W0) constant value, supporting th
e theory of an absolute metabolic scope during the life cycle.