Data from: Evolution of basal metabolic rate in bank voles from a multidirectional selection experiment

A major theme in evolutionary and ecological physiology of terrestrial vertebrates encompasses the factors underlying the evolution of endothermy in birds and mammals and interspecific variation of basal metabolic rate (BMR). Here, we applied the experimental evolution approach and compared BMR in lines of a wild rodent, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus), selected for 11 generations for: high swim-induced aerobic metabolism (A), ability to maintain body mass on a low-quality herbivorous diet (H) and intensity of predatory behaviour towards crickets (P). Four replicate lines were maintained for each of the selection directions and an unselected control (C). In comparison to C lines, A lines achieved a 49% higher maximum rate of oxygen consumption during swimming, H lines lost 1.3 g less mass in the test with low-quality diet and P lines attacked crickets five times more frequently. BMR was significantly higher in A lines than in C or H lines (60.8, 56.6 and 54.4 ml O2 h−1, respectively), and the values were intermediate in P lines (59.0 ml O2 h−1). Results of the selection experiment provide support for the hypothesis of a positive association between BMR and aerobic exercise performance, but not for the association of adaptation to herbivorous diet with either a high or low BMR.

陆生脊椎动物进化生理与生态生理学的核心研究主题之一，围绕阐明鸟类与哺乳类内温性（endothermy）演化的驱动因素，以及基础代谢率（basal metabolic rate, BMR）的种间变异展开。本研究采用实验演化研究方法，以野生啮齿类物种银行田鼠（Myodes glareolus）为研究对象，对经11代定向选育的多个品系的基础代谢率开展对比分析：这些品系的选育方向分为三类，分别为高游泳诱导有氧代谢能力（A组）、在低质量植食性日粮下维持体重的能力（H组），以及对蟋蟀的捕食行为强度（P组）。每类选育方向均设置4个重复选育品系，同时设置未选育的对照组（C组）。相较于C组，A组的游泳诱导最大耗氧速率提升49%；H组在低质量日粮饲喂实验中的体重流失量减少1.3 g；P组对蟋蟀的攻击频率提升5倍。A组的基础代谢率显著高于C组与H组（分别为60.8、56.6与54.4 ml O₂·h⁻¹），P组的基础代谢率处于中间水平（59.0 ml O₂·h⁻¹）。本选育实验结果支持“基础代谢率与有氧运动能力呈正相关”的假说，但未发现植食性日粮适应与基础代谢率高低存在关联的证据。