We investigated the relationship between resting metabolic rate (RMR) and various morphological parameters in non-breeding mice, selected for high and low food intake corrected for body mass. RMR was measured at 30 degrees C, and mice were subsequently killed and dissected into 19 body components. High-food-intake mice had significantly greater body masses and a significantly elevated RMR compared with the low-intake mice. Data pooled across strains indicated that body mass, sex and strain together explained over 56 % of the observed variation in RMR. The effects of strain and sex on RMR and tissue morphology were removed, and three separate statistical analyses to investigate the relationship between RMR and organ morphology were performed: (i) employing individual regression analysis with each tissue component as a separate predictor against RMR; (ii) individual regression analysis with residual organ mass against residual RMR (i.e. with strain, sex and body mass effects removed); and (iii) pooling of some organ masses into functional groupings to reduce the number of predictors. Liver mass was the most significant morphological trait linked to differences in RMR. Small intestine length was significantly greater in the high-intake line; however, no difference was observed between strains in the dry mass of this organ, and there was no evidence to associate variability in the mass of the alimentary tract with variability in RMR. The effects of strain on RMR independent of the effect on body mass were consistent with the anticipated effect from the strain differences in the size of the liver.
2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize shortlist and winner
The JEB Editors are delighted to announce the shortlisted authors for the 2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize. Read the winning paper - Tiny spies: mosquito antennae are sensitive sensors for eavesdropping on frog calls - by Hoover Pantoja-Sanchez and Brian Leavell from Ximena Bernal's lab at Purdue University, USA.
JEB Science Communication Workshop for ECRs
If you’re an early-career researcher interested in science communication and are attending the SEB Annual Conference in Prague this summer, come a day early and join the JEB Editors at a sci comm workshop to learn the key writing skills needed to promote your research to a broad audience beyond your peers (1 July at 14.30-17.30). Places are limited to 24 attendees, and applicants should apply through the SEB registration page by 30 April 2024.
Bridging the gap between controlled conditions and natural habitats in understanding behaviour
Novel technologies enable behavioural experiments with non-model species, in naturalistic habitats and with underexplored behaviours. In their Commentary, Scholz and colleagues discuss how to obtain a deeper understanding of the natural ecology and lifestyle of study animals.
Beluga metabolic measures could help save species
To help save animals from extinction, it’s important to understand what each species needs to survive. This led Jason John et al. to measure the metabolic rates of captive belugas to develop a ‘fish calculator’ showing that the whales need to eat ~23 salmon per day.
ECR Workshop on Positive Peer Review
Are you an ECR looking for tips on how to write concise, astute and useful manuscript reviews? If so, join the JEB Editors at a 2-hour JEB-sponsored Workshop on Positive Peer Review at the Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting in Moncton on 9 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00. There are 25 spaces for ECRs and selection is first come, first serve. To sign up, check the ECR Workshop box when you register for the CSZ meeting.
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