To study the characteristics of energy metabolism,metabolic rate (MR),body temperature (T
b),and thermal conductance
(C) were determined at a temperature range of 5-35° in 5 male and 3 female Siberian accentors (
Prunella montanella
) from Qiqihar City of Heilongjiang Province from April to June in 2003.MR was measured by using closed circuit respirometer,T
b was measured by insertion of a digital thermometer into the cloaca,and C was calculated using the formula:C=MR/(T
b-T
a,where T
a is ambient temperature.With a temperature range of 5-35°C,Siberian accentors can keep their T
bs stable 41.25±0.12°C.The mean minimum MR was 4.27±0.07 mL O
2/(g·h).C was 0.26±0.00 mL O
2/(g·h·°C) with a temperature range of 5-26.5°C.Within this range of temperatures,MR increased with the declining in T
a,and the relationship between MR and Ta can be described as:MR[mL O
2/(g·h)]=10.39-0.24 T
a (°C) for Siberian accentors.The ecophysiological characteristics of Siberian accentors were high level in MR and Tb,relative higher in C.These properties might make them adapt to their environments and survive at relatively colder areas.
