A simple technique for estimating operative environmental temperature

• Published in: Journal of thermal biology Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 67 - 72
• Main Authors: Walsberg, Glenn E., Weathers, Wesley W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1986; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Environmental temperature; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; globe thermometer; Lanius ludovicianus; Melopsitticus undulatus; operative temperature; Phainopepla nitens; Pica nuttalli; taxidermic mount; Thermoregulation. Hibernation. Estivation. Ecophysiology and environmental effects; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Environmental temperature; Lanius ludovicianus; Pica nuttalli; T c; Melopsitticus undulatus; taxidermic mount; operative temperature; Phainopepla nitens; globe thermometer; Measurement; Environment; Temperature; Method
• ISSN: 0306-4565; 1879-0992
• DOI: 10.1016/0306-4565(86)90020-3

1. 1.|Operative environmental temperature ( T c) is commonly measured using a taxidermic mount consisting of a hollow copper cast of an animal's body covered by the animal's integument. We compare estimates of T c made using such mounts with those derived from use of painted metal sphere thermometers, which are easier to construct and more rugged than taxidermic mounts. 2. 2.|Comparison of data for 4 bird species indicates that metal spheres may be acceptable T c-thermometers for analyses involving multiple measurements over moderately long time-scales (e.g. several hours). 3. 3.|In this case, positive and negative differences between operative temperature estimated from use of taxidermic mounts and painted spheres tend to compensate and the average difference is usually less than 2°C. This difference is similar to that resulting from postural variation of taxidermic mounts or variation among individual mounts in identical postures. 4. 4.|Sensitivity analysis indicates that use of painted spheres is unlikely to be an important source of error in estimates of total daily energy expenditure. 5. 5.|In contrast, use of painted sphere thermometers in analyses involving fewer measurements over shorter-time scales can produce unacceptable discrepancies from values obtained from taxidermic mounts (i.e. up to 6.3°C).