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Do nocturnal rodents run more efficiently at night?

Nature volume 260, pages 38–39 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

AN animal's activity is perhaps the most obvious physiological parameter influenced by circadian rhythms. Nocturnal animals move about and do their foraging during their hours of darkness. This higher level of activity is also synchronised with a higher basal metabolic rate as well as body temperature1, and may also be reflected in metabolic needs for (the increased) locomotion occurring during the active period. Since the animal is using more energy simply to maintain its basic needs, there may also be a higher energy requirement for moving about. We have examined this, and have found that the increased basal rate persists as the constant difference (at different speeds), between the day and night performances of gerbils.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Physiology, Rutgers—The State University, 195 University Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, 07102

    JACOB L. RAAB & MARIETTA SUE BRADY

Authors
  1. JACOB L. RAAB
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  2. MARIETTA SUE BRADY
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RAAB, J., SUE BRADY, M. Do nocturnal rodents run more efficiently at night?. Nature 260, 38–39 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/260038a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/260038a0

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