Arrhythmic breathing in torpid pipistrelle bats, Pipistrellus pipistrellus

• Main Authors: G. C. Hays, P. L Webb, J. R. Speakman L
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: Pipistrellus pipistrellus
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.580.2465; http://www.swansea.ac.uk/bs/turtle/reprints/Hays_Resp_Physiol_1991.pdf

Abstr:act. The arrhythmic breathing pattern of torpid female pipistrelle bats tPipistrellus pipistrellusi was monitored using Doppler radar. A total of 98 h of radar measurements were made on II individuals over 17 experiments.during which time 974 apneic intervals were monitored, over ambient temperatures (Ta, 'C) ranging from- 1 to 14 'c. and body masses rangmg from 4.6 to 7.' \ g. As Ta declined. a greater proportion of all breaths occurred in discrete breathing bouts. Apneic intervals lengthened at lower Ta, but were not related to body mass. Mean apneic length, averaged over 1 'C intervals, was best described by the least squares fit regression equation: In (apneic length in s) = 7.07-0.8111n (Ta + I), (r 2 = 0.96, P< 0.01). Ventilation frequency (breaths- min- '). averaged over a breathing bout and the subsequent apnea, increased as Ta increased, and was not related to body mass. Mean ventilation frequency If), averaged over I 'C intervals, was best described by the least squares fit regression equation: f = 0.812 + 0.499 Ta (r: = 09~. P < 0.011. Using previously published values for 0: consumption rv0,) in torpid pipistrelles, and tidal volume ~d 0: extraction efficiency at. 'C in torpid bats of the same mean size (6.2 g). we calculated tbt,il4 'C ventilation would, on avenge, supply only 14.~-2l.J~ ~ of Y This suggests that in torpid O o ' pir-istrelles:he glottis:lOa,. remain open dunng apnea, allowing a significant diffusive influx of 0: into the lungs.