Comparison of the acute effects of locomotor activity on body temperature in lab and semi-field for a wild rodent

JANNETTI MG; VALENTINUZZI VS; ODA GA

San Diego

Simposio; 11th Annual Center for Circadian Biology Symposium; 2021

University of California in San Diego (UCSD)

Locomotor activity increases metabolic rate and is an important modulator of body temperature (Tb). It has been previously shown in several rodents that activity level is positively correlated with Tb and daily activity and Tb rhythms are very well synchronized under standard LD and constant temperature conditions of the lab. Here we measure activity and Tb of tuco-tucos, subterranean rodents from Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina, in semi-field and lab conditions to verify the consistency of the Tb-activity relationship. Correlation between Tb and activity was higher when tuco-tucos were in laboratory than in semi-field. These preliminary results suggest that high Tb-activity correlation may be more dependent on environmental conditions than it is usually assumed. On the one hand, natural Ta cycles may induce other mechanisms to reassure energetic balance, not coupled with locomotor activity. On the other hand, the lab set up may hinder the dissipation of heat by pathways available in nature (e. g. conduction allowed by tunnels underground), resulting in faster heating when tuco-tucos are active.