Interactive effects of temperature acclimation and dietary fatty acids on metabolic rate and body composition of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Climate change is contributing to geographic range shifts in many bird species, with possible exposure to novel diets. How individuals respond physiologically across chronic time frames to the interacting effects of diet and environmental temperature has been little explored. We acclimated zebra finches to either cool (20-24°C) or thermoneutral (35°C) temperatures over 6-months and provided them with diets enriched in either unsaturated or saturated fatty acids. We measured body mass throughout the study, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition at 3- and 6-months, respectively. Individuals held in cool conditions and fed a diet enriched with unsaturated fatty acids lost mass relative to the other groups, and after 6-months were of similar mass to individuals maintained at thermoneutrality. Chronic exposure to cool conditions increased BMR and the mass of the pectoral muscle and visceral organs. However, we could detect no long-term effect of diet on any physiological paramet..., , , # Data from: Interactive effects of temperature acclimation and dietary fatty acids on metabolic rate and body composition of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd7r](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd7r)

## Description of the data and file structure

This data set resulted from a study of captive zebra finches held at one of two temperatures, and fed a diet enriched with either saturated or unsaturated fatty acids.

### Files and variables

#### File: MC1\_Pectoralis\_Mass\_Data.csv

**Description:** Data on mass of pectoralis muscle of zebra finches exposed to one of two environmental temperatures and one of two dietary treatments

##### Variables

* Pec: Mass of the pectoral muscles of a zebra finch, measured in grams, after 6 months acclimating to experimental treatment. Mass was determined by weighing the left pectoral muscle and doubling it.
* Diet: Dietary treatment that the bird was exposed to over the experimental period. Individuals we...,