Biomaterial Database

Ratios of hatchling and adult mass-independent metabolism: a physiological index to the altricial-precocial continuum. 1986

T L Bucher

Measures of metabolism which are theoretically mass-independent (MIM values = BMR divided by M0.67) are calculated for non-passerine species from data in the existing literature. These MIM values are, in fact as the acronym implies, essentially mass independent, with only 8.2% of the variation in MIM values attributable to log mass. In 10 of the 12 orders for which data were analysed, the slopes of the regressions of MIM values on log body mass do not differ significantly from zero. A dimensionless index of the intensity of the energy metabolism of hatchlings relative to that of conspecific adults is derived based upon the mass-independent measures of metabolism for adults and hatchlings. This ranking of metabolic maturity at hatching, a physiological index, is compared with the most commonly used classification of the avian altricial-precocial continuum which is based upon morphological and behavioral characteristics. Several taxonomic groups appear more precocial metabolically than indicated by their ranking based upon morphological and behavioral criteria.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D012044	Regression Analysis	Procedures for finding the mathematical function which best describes the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. In linear regression (see LINEAR MODELS) the relationship is constrained to be a straight line and LEAST-SQUARES ANALYSIS is used to determine the best fit. In logistic regression (see LOGISTIC MODELS) the dependent variable is qualitative rather than continuously variable and LIKELIHOOD FUNCTIONS are used to find the best relationship. In multiple regression, the dependent variable is considered to depend on more than a single independent variable.	Regression Diagnostics,Statistical Regression,Analysis, Regression,Analyses, Regression,Diagnostics, Regression,Regression Analyses,Regression, Statistical,Regressions, Statistical,Statistical Regressions
D001824	Body Constitution	The physical characteristics of the body, including the mode of performance of functions, the activity of metabolic processes, the manner and degree of reactions to stimuli, and power of resistance to the attack of pathogenic organisms.	Body Constitutions,Constitution, Body,Constitutions, Body
D004734	Energy Metabolism	The chemical reactions involved in the production and utilization of various forms of energy in cells.	Bioenergetics,Energy Expenditure,Bioenergetic,Energy Expenditures,Energy Metabolisms,Expenditure, Energy,Expenditures, Energy,Metabolism, Energy,Metabolisms, Energy
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831	Animals, Newborn	Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth.	Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D001522	Behavior, Animal	The observable response an animal makes to any situation.	Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D001717	Birds	Warm-blooded VERTEBRATES possessing FEATHERS and belonging to the class Aves.	Aves,Bird
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species