Regulation of Oxygen Consumption and Body Temperature during Torpor in a Hummingbird, <i>Eulampis jugularis</i>

Abstract

The West Indian hummingbird, Eulampis jugularis, maintained its body temperature in torpor at 18 degrees to 20 degrees C over an ambient temperature range of 2.5 degrees to 18 degrees C. At ambient below 18 degrees C oxygen consumption during torpor increased linearly with decreasing temperature. Thermal conductances were the same for resting and torpid Eulampis regulating their body temperatures at 40 degrees and 18 degrees C, respectively.