关键词: 横断山区, 小型哺乳动物, 代谢特征, 岛屿起源假说

Abstract: Metabolic rate is an important parameter in animal physiological ecology which can reflect the energy consumption levels between different species and individuals. It has important significance in the process of adaption to the environment for animals. Many different physical and biological factors could affect the metabolic characteristics of the animals. The present paper mainly summarizes the effects of body-mass and temperature on metabolic rate in three small mammals (Tupaia belangeri, Eothenomys miletus,and Apodemus chevrieri) in Hengduan Mountain region. In addition, compared the similarities and differences of metabolic rate between three small mammals in Hengduan Mountain region and some small mammals from other regions, given some special metabolic characteristics about differences between small mammals from Hengduan Mountain region; Moreover, we studied the origin issue of tree shrews by comparing their metabolic characteristics.

Key words: Hengduan Mountain region, Small mammals, Metabolic characteristics, "island origin", hypothesis