Geographical variations in heat production and dissipation within two populations of Rhabdomys pumilio (Muridae)

1. 1. A comparative study of heat production and dissipation was carried out on Rhabdomys pumilio from two extremely different climatic zones. 2. 2. Our results show higher oxygen consumption (VO2) values for the desert population at Ta = 5°C when compared to the mesic population. The overall thermal conductance is also higher for the desert population. 3. 3. It seems as though penetration into mesic areas of R. pumilio, which originated in an arid zone, was accompanied by an increase in body mass. © 1986.