Individual variation and repeatability of the aerobic performance in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Metabolism is thought to play an important role in shaping behaviour, ecology and physiology in animals. To study the changes of metabolism among different ages or generations as well as the repeatability during the ontogeny, we carried out the research in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii), which covered two generations’ life. Meanwhile, we estimated the among-family variations to facilitate the heritability evaluation. Resting metabolic rate within the thermoneutral zone, resting metabolic rate at 5 °C, non-shivering thermogenesis and maximal metabolic rate during thermogenesis in both juveniles and adults were simultaneously measured. Population-average values of aerobic traits were generally consistent among different ages or generations; however, there was no repeatability at the level of individual variation during the ontogeny, which indicated that the aerobic traits of the young were not good indicators for that of later life. At the same time, the coefficient of intraclass correlation for full sibs failed to reach statistical significance, suggesting that heritability of aerobic traits in Brandt's voles was not high.