Thermoregulatory, metabolic and ventilatory physiology of the eastern barred bandicoot (<i>Parameles gunnii</i>)

Thermoregulatory, metabolic and ventilatory parameters measured for the Tasmanian eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) in thermoneutrality (ambient temperature = 30°C) were: body temperature 35.1°C, basal metabolic rate 0.55 mL O2 g-1 h-1, wet thermal conductance 2.2 mL O2 g-1 h-1 °C -1, dry thermal conductance 1.4 J g-1 h-1 °C-1, ventilatory frequency 24.8 breaths min-1, tidal volume 9.9 mL, minute volume of 246 mL min-1, and oxygen extraction efficiency 22.2%. These physiological characteristics are consistent with a cool/wet distribution, e.g. high basal metabolic rate (3.33 mL O2 g-0.75 h-1) for thermogenesis, low thermal conductance (0.92 J g-1 h-1 °C-1 at 10°C) for heat retention and intolerance of high ambient temperatures (≥35°C) with panting, hyperthermia and high total evaporative water loss (16.9 mg H 2O g-1 h-1). © CSIRO 2006.