..., in comparisons between closely related highland and lowland taxa, we might expect to observe consistent differences in basal metabolic rate (BMR), maximal metabolic rate (MMR) and aerobic scope. Broad-scale comparative studies of birds reveal no association between BMR and native elevation, and altitude effects...

... from the live animals. Control of tumbling was also found to influence the control of jump elevation. The bias to pitch head-upwards may have an evolutionary advantage when evading a predator and so make control of tumbling important for the locust. * Author for correspondence ( [email protected]...

...D. L. Altshuler; R. Dudley; S. M. Heredia; J. A. McGuire SUMMARY Vertical lifting performance in 67 hummingbird species was studied across a 4000 m elevational gradient. We used the technique of asymptotic load-lifting to elicit maximum sustained muscle power output during loaded hovering flight...

...Douglas L. Altshuler; Robert Dudley SUMMARY Hovering flight is one of the most energetically demanding forms of animal locomotion. Despite the cost, hummingbirds regularly hover at high elevations,where flight is doubly challenging because of reduced air density and oxygen availability. We...

... affect water loss and that increased amounts and melting points of cuticular lipid reduce water loss. Using flow-through respirometry, rates of water loss and carbon dioxide release from grasshoppers were quantified at 25, 35 and 42 °C. Populations displayed substantial variation, with high-elevation...