What causes intraspecific variation in resting metabolic rate and what are its ecological consequences?
University of Glasgow · Marine Scotland
Abstract
Individual differences in the energy cost of self-maintenance (resting metabolic rate, RMR) are substantial and the focus of an emerging research area. These differences may influence fitness because self-maintenance is considered as a life-history component along with growth and reproduction. In this review, we ask why do some individuals have two to three times the 'maintenance costs' of conspecifics, and what are the fitness consequences? Using evidence from a range of species, we demonstrate that diverse factors, such as genotypes, maternal effects, early developmental conditions and personality differences contribute to variation in individual RMR. We review evidence that RMR is linked with fitness,…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 29.14
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 95
Authors
4Topics & keywords
- Trait
- Intraspecific competition
- Biology
- Ecology
- Context (archaeology)
- Variation (astronomy)
- Basal metabolic rate
- Natural selection
- Zero hunger