
%0 Journal Article
%A Schleucher, Elke 
%T Energy metabolism in an obligate frugivore, the superb fruit-dove (<emph type="2">Ptilinopus superbus</emph>)
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 1999/05/19
%V 47
%N 2
%P 169-179
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO98021
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO98021 
%X Ptilinopus superbus (body mass 120.4 5.2 g) is a highly specialised, migratory avian frugivore that is widespread in the rainforests of the Indo-Pacific Region and north-eastern Australia. The effect of the specialised diet on metabolic rate (MR) and body temperature (Tb) were investigated at ambient temperatures (Ta) of 13-30&ordm;C in activity (&#945;) and rest (&#961;) phases. At thermoneutrality (Ta = 26&ordm;C), the basal metabolic rate (BMR) was 23.2 4.49 J g-1 h-1 , which corresponds closely to the predicted value (22.6 J g-1 h-1). Wet thermal conductance (Cwet) was 2.39 0.45 J g-1 h-1 &ordm;C-1 in &#945; and 1.75 0.13 J g-1 h-1 &ordm;C-1 in &#961; for Ta between 13 and 21&ordm;C. These conductances are higher than expected (&#945;: 1.87 J g-1 h-1 &ordm;C-1; &#961;: 1.16 J g-1 h-1 &ordm;C-1) for a non-passerine bird of this body mass (M), indicating poor insulation of this tropical species. Tb was 39.6 0.76&ordm;C in &#945; and 38.1 0.55&ordm;C in &#961; in the observed Ta range, corresponding closely to expected values (40.9 1.35 in &#945; and 38.6 0.66 in &#961;). This study shows no evidence of an influence of the fruit diet on the metabolic physiology of superb fruit doves. Analysis of BMR data for all pigeon species sampled so far provides no evidence that a low basal metabolic rate is a general characteristic of the Columbidae. 
