Heart rate as an indicator of oxygen consumption in the pine marten ( Martes americana )

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Fisher, Rochelle, Gilbert, Frederick F., Robinette, Jack D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1987
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Martes americana
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z87-319; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z87-319

Telemetered heart rate was examined as an indicator of oxygen consumption in eight adult pine marten (Martes americana). Martens were exercised on a treadmill in a metabolic chamber at three speeds while heart rate and oxygen consumption were monitored. High correlation coefficients were exhibited for individual experimental sessions. The overall correlaton coefficient between oxygen consumption and heart rate for all 51 experiments was 0.75. We observed a linear regression of oxygen consumption on heart rate for all marten. Regression lines for individual martens were tested for similarity to each other by analysis of covariance and were found to be significantly different. Daily variation within a particular marten was examined by using analysis of covariance. Three martens had daily regression lines similar in slope. All intercepts differed. The variability of regression lines and the appropriateness of using heart rate to predict oxygen consumption in the marten are discussed.