These bats flooded their wings with blood to dissipate the heat. This was interpreted to be analogous to flight heat production and dissipation. During flight however the wings have a large airflow over them and are capable of losing heat convectively which was not possible in the strapped down animals. This work has supported the previously suggested role of the feet as a route whereby the birds can regulate heat loss. At high temperatures birds lower the hot legs and feet into the airstream to dissipate more heat and when it is cool they retract their feet to conserve heat loss.
Small mammals vary enormously in their litter sizes.
This project aims to assess the role played by variations in basal metabolic rate in potentiating the reproductive capacity of mice and voles. Studies include examining the impact of phenotypic variations in BMR induced by cold exposure on subsequent reproductive performance and genotypic effects following selective breeding. Energy demands of companion animals. A programme of work using the doubly-labelled water technique is being funded by the Waltham Center for Pet Care and Nutrition. Dr Speakman is also working on the behaviour of bats.