Interplay between acclimation time and diet quality on basal metabolic rate in females of degus Octodon degus (Rodentia : Octodontidae)

The effect of diet quality on basal metabolic rate (BMR) over time was stud ied in female Octodon degus. Degus fed on a low-quality diet maintained a c onstant BMR over time, while those fed on a high-quality diet showed all in creased BMR after 30 days. After 120 days of dietary acclimation, individua ls fed on a high-quality diet exhibited comparatively higher BMRs. Thus, we hypothesize that when environmental food quality is high, degus are able t o increase their BMR quickly, allowing high rates of biosynthesis.