Physiological adaptations of the arctic fox to high Arctic conditions

Country

Norway

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Terrestrial mammals

Regions studied

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Biological effects

Keywords

Updated 2003-01-27

To investigate arctic foxes physiological adaptations to life at high latitudes. Resting and running metabolic rates, body weight, food intake, body core temperature, heart rate, and blood parameters were examined during different seasons and during periods of food deprivation.

http://www.npolar.no/en/

Status: Completed
Project time span: 1990 - 1997
Data collection: not specified
Data processing: not specified
Data reporting: not specified

Contact information

Contact person: Eva Fuglei
Address: Norwegian Polar Institute, The Environmental Centre, 9296 Tromsø Norway
Phone: +47 77750528
Fax: +47 77750501
Email: on.ralopn@ielguf.ave

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Biological effects

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Terrestrial mammals

Geography

Regions studied: Biological effects; Biological effects; Biological effects

Data availability

References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports: Fuglei, E. and Øritsland, N. A. 1999. Seasonal trends in body mass, food intake and resting metabolic rate, and induction of metabolic depression in arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) at Svalbard. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 169: 361-369. Pomponi, M, Bertonati, C, Fuglei, E, Wiig, Ø and Derocher, A. E. 2000. 2,3-DPG-Hb complex: a hypothesis for an asymmetric binding. Biophysical Chemistry 84: 253-260. Fuglei, E., Aanestad, M. and Berg, J. P. 2000. Hormones and metabolites of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in response to seasonal variations, starvation and re-feeding. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 126: 287-294. Eva Fuglei. 2000. Physiological adaptations of the arctic fox to high Arctic conditions. Doctor Scient. Dissertation, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Fuglei, E. & Øritsland, N. A. 2001. Energy cost of running in arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), on Svalbard, Norway. Presented at the first ever Canid Biology and Conversation Conference, Oxford, 17-21 September, 2001. Fuglei, E., Mercer, J. B. & Arnemo, J. M. 2002. Anesthesia and surgical implantation of radio transmitters in arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) on Svalbard. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 33(4): 342-349. Ahlstrøm, Ø., Fuglei, E. and Mydland, L.T. 2003. Comparative nutrient digestibility of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) on Svalbard and farmed-raised blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 134(1): 63-68.

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: No

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: No