关键词: 最大代谢率, 哺乳动物, 制约因子, 影响因素, 进化生理学

Abstract: Maximum metabolic rate (MMR) is defined as the physiological limit of metabolism during short time in animals. The paper reviews the related concepts , measurement methods , its changes during developmental procedures , two different methods for inducing MMR and its repeatability , its limiting factors , and effecting factors including including body size , phylogeny , environment temperature , altitude above sea level , parasite and virus. The relationship between MMR and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) , and its evolutionary strategies are also reviewed. Since the relationship between MMR and BMR involves the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy , thus , this review also introduces its related biochemical basis and the tests to verify such relationship. In the last part of this paper , we suggest the future research directions in this field.

Key words: Maximum metabolic, Rate mammalslimit factor, Effect factors, Evolutionary physiology