| Author(s) | Mohamed K. AI-Sadoon |
| Affiliation | Departnwnt of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud Univer.vity, P.D. Box 2455. Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Comparative Metabolic Rate-temperature Curves of |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Science. Volume 11, No 2. (1999/1419) |
| Abstract | Abstract. Five species of snakes (Vipera ru.v.velii, Malpolon /'I1On.vpe.~.vulanu.v in.vignitu.v, Coluber florulentu.v, Spalerowphi.v diade/'IW, and Leptoty-phlop.v microrhynchu.v) of the families Viperidae, Colubridae, and Leptot-yphlopidae were collected from Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia for the comparative study of their metabolic rate-temperature (M-T) curves. The resting oxygen consumption ('\J°2) rate of each species was measured in a double-chamber, volumetric closed system at ambient temperatures from 10 to 3S'C. The M-T curves and the linear regression lines were found to be directly and significantly proportional in all species. A significant inverse proportionality of the metabolic rate weight-specific relationship was noticed in all species, but was most pronounced in the subadult and adult L. microrhynchu.v. The Q 10 values indicated both thermal dependent shifts and preferred body temperature ranges. The variations and similarities observed in these parameters can be attributed to geographical and environmental factors. |
