Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Reproductive Energetics Of Adult Male Yellow- Bellied Marmots (Marmota Flaviventris), Carmen M. Salsbury, K. B. Armitage
Reproductive Energetics Of Adult Male Yellow- Bellied Marmots (Marmota Flaviventris), Carmen M. Salsbury, K. B. Armitage
Carmen M. Salsbury
We examined the energy expenditure of adult male yellow-bellied marmots and its relationship to various female-defense characteristics critical to male reproductive success. Resting metabolic rates of males were estimated in the laboratory via oxygen-consumption analysis, and field metabolic rates were estimated using a doubly Labeled water technique. Male home-range size, number of females defended by males, dispersion of females in the habitat, and date into the active season were considered to be predictors of male energy expenditure in excess of maintenance costs (field metabolic rate minus resting metabolic rate). Energy expenditure was best explained by a defensibility index based on …