Regulation of Body Temperature

Body temperature ( T b ) regulation, which is an exclusive characteristic of endothermic birds and mammals, allows for the adaptation of processes and survival under varied environmental conditions. This chapter focuses on the evolution of endothermy, which enables the maintenance of T b within a relatively small range; the mechanisms of heat production and heat loss; various strategies to maintain T b ; the development of endothermy during embryogenesis; and the cost of endothermy in various ecological niches.