Bird metabolism (BMR):
Birds have been intensively studied and there are a number of widely-used allometric equations for avian BMR. Recently there has been some controversy over the correct statistical and phylogenetic approaches, and McKechnie & Wolf pointed out that some allometries may have included data that do not fit the stringent criteria for true BMR.
• McKechnie and Wolf carefully analyzed several hundred published values of BMR, selecting only 67 species for which measurement conditions unambiguously fit the criteria for BMR. They found no difference between passerines and non-passerines after phylogentic corrections. Note: their phylogenetically independent equation is used here.
McKechnie AE, Wolf BO (2004), Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 77:502-521
• Londoño et al. analysed a very large dataset (almost 500 species) using phylogenetic statistics based on the Hackett et al. (2008) avian tree. Unlike other recent phylogenetic studies based on smaller datasets and older phylogenies, Londoño et al. found significant differences between passerines and non-passerines.
Londoño GA, Chappell MA, Casteñada MR, Jankowski JE, Robinson SK (2014) Functional Ecology 29: 338-346.
• Bennett and Harvey used phylogenetic analysis of mean values for avian families to generate their equation.
Bennett PM, Harvey PH (1987), Journal of Zoology (London) 213: 327-363
• Lasiewski and Dawson produced an early but much-cited paper that provides separate equations for passerine and non-passerine species.
Lasiewski RD, Dawson WR (1967), Condor 69:13-23
• Aschoff and Pohl, in another much-cited paper, showed differences between the active (alpha, usually daylight) phase and the inactive (rho, usually night) phase. The paper is based on a relatively small number of passerine species.
Aschoff J, Pohl JH (1970), Journal für Ornithologie 111:38-47
• Reynolds and Lee re-analyzed existing BMR data using phylogenetic techniques and found no differences between passerines and non-passerines.
Reynolds PS, Lee RM (1996), American Naturalist 147:735-759
• White and Seymour surveyed an extensive literature on both avian and mammalian BMR. They concluded there were no differences in BMR between birds and mammals if differences in body temperature were accounted for.
White CR, Seymour RS (2004), Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 77:926-941
• Weathers and Siegel examined the resting metabolism of nestlings, using data from 27 species (passerines and non-passerines).
Weathers WW, Siegel RB (1994), Ibis 137:532-542