Ventilation and Expired Gas Composition in the Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber, during Normal Respiration and Panting

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Direct measurements of ventilatory parameters have been employed in a study of ventilatory adjustments and changes in expired gas composition during heat stress in the greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber. At thermoneutrality = 39.5 C) average resting values were breathing rate (f) 9.6∙ min⁻¹, tidal volume 40.4∙ ml∙ kg⁻¹, ventilation 382.6 ∙ ml ∙ min ⁻¹ ∙ kg⁻¹, oxygen uptake 1.03∙ml O₂STP. g⁻¹∙ h⁻¹. The f is lower and all other parameters higher than values predicted from allometric equations, and averaged 40.3 mm Hg and 108.3 mm Hg. During rapid shallow panting at 40 C < < 42 C, f increased 23 times, was reduced to 15% of normal and closely matched the tracheal dead space, and VI increased 3-3.5 times. The rapid shallow breathing during panting was interrupted at regular intervals by brief sequences of deeper breaths (flush outs). The importance of the described panting pattern for thermal and respiratory homeostasis is discussed.