Temperature variation affects most biological parameters from the molecular level to community structure and dynamics. Current studies on thermal biology assess how populations vary in response to environmental temperature, which can help determine how populations differentially respond to climate change. To date, temperature fluctuation effects on endothermic poikilotherms such as the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) are unknown even though bumblebees are the most important natural pollinators in North America. A cold-acclimation experiment with B. impatiens colonies revealed individuals acclimated to 5°C or 10°C at night did not differ in resting metabolic rate, flight metabolic rate, wingbeat frequency, or morphological measurements, compared to the control group. Moreover, an infrared camera showed that all colonies maintained maximum nest temperature consistently above 36.8°C. A latitudinal sampling of flight metabolic rate and morphological measurements of B. impatiens from four locations spanning Ontario (N 45°; W 75°) to North Carolina (N 34°; W 77°) indicated no latitudinal trend in the measured variables. This study shows that bumblebees are well equipped to face a wide range of environmental temperatures, both in the short term and long term, and can use a combination of behavioural and physiological mechanisms to regulate body and nest temperatures. These results are reassuring on the direct effects of climate change on bumblebee ecology, but further studies on the indirect effect of temperature variation on North American bumblebees are required to predict future ecosystem dynamics.

The nutritional care and management of patients includes provision of adequate nutrition support to ensure that they attain and maintain a desirable body weight, improve nutritional status and avoid negative outcomes associated with over- or underfeeding. The success of nutrition support relies on accurately estimating energy requirements so that adequate energy and nutrients can be provided to the patient. Energy requirements are most accurately determined by measurement of energy expenditure. Most methods for doing so however are expensive, time-consuming, require trained technicians to perform them and are therefore impractical in the clinical setting. As such, prediction equations, which are easy to use, inexpensive and universally available, are commonly used to estimate the energy requirements of hospitalised patients. The accuracy of these equations however is questionable. Recently, a new portable hand-held indirect calorimeter (MedGem(tm), HealtheTech, USA), which has been promoted for its ease of use and relatively short measurement time, has been validated in healthy subjects but is yet to be validated in patients with illnesses. Weight loss and malnutrition occur commonly in patients with cancer and are often thought to be associated with disturbances in energy metabolism caused by the tumour. Minimising weight loss is an important goal for the nutritional care of patients with cancer. The ability to accurately determine the energy requirements of these patients is therefore essential for the provision of optimal nutrition support. This research project proceeded in two phases. Phase 1 aimed to determine current methods used by dietitians for estimating adult patients' energy requirements using a descriptive study. Results of this study informed phase 2, which aimed to investigate differences in energy expenditure of cancer patients compared to healthy control subjects and to compare different methods for determining energy requirements of people with cancer in the clinical setting. To address phase 1 a national cross-sectional survey of dietitians working in acute care adult hospitals was undertaken to determine their usual dietetic practice with respect to estimating patients' energy requirements. Responses to the survey (n=307, 66.2%) indicated a large variation in dietitians' practice for estimating energy requirements particularly with respect to the application of methods involving injury factors. When applied to a case study, these inconsistencies resulted in an extremely wide range for the calculated energy requirement, suggesting that there is error inherent in the use of prediction methods, which may be associated with negative consequences associated with under- or overfeeding. The types of patients for whom dietitians estimate energy requirements appears to be heavily influenced by feeding method. Initial dietetic education was identified as the main influencing factor in the choice of method for estimation of energy requirements. Phase 2 was addressed using four studies based on the same study population - a case-control study, two clinical validation studies and a measurement methods study. Patients had histologically proven solid tumours, excluding tumours of the breast, prostate and brain, and were undergoing anti-cancer therapy (n=18). Healthy control subjects were group matched to cancer patients by gender, age, height and weight from a purposive sample (n=17). Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by respiratory gas exchange using a traditional indirect calorimeter (VMax 229) and the MedGem indirect calorimeter. A measurement methods side-study established that steady state defined as a three-minute period compared to a five-minute period measured REE within clinically acceptable limits. REE was also predicted from a range of prediction equations. Analyses of available data found that REE in cancer patients was not significantly different from healthy subjects, with only a 10% higher REE observed in this sample of cancer patients when adjusted for fat free mass. For both cancer patients and healthy subjects the portable MedGem indirect calorimeter and all prediction equations did not measure or estimate individual REE within clinically acceptable limits compared to the VMax 229 (limits of agreement of approximately -40% to 30% for both the MedGem and prediction equations). Collectively, the results of this research project have indicated that current practical methods for determining patients' energy requirements in a clinical setting do not accurately predict the resting energy expenditure of individual subjects, healthy or with cancer. Greater emphasis should therefore be placed on ensuring intake meets requirements. For this to occur, dietetic practice should be focused on directly monitoring both patients' actual energy intake and patient outcomes, such as weight, body composition and nutritional status, to determine whether energy requirements are being met. This research has led to multiple recommendations for dietetic practice, focusing on the standardisation of education practices. Recommendations for future research address methodological improvements.

Proteínas desacopladoras (UCPs) estão presentes na membrana mitocondrial interna e por meio do transporte de prótons do espaço intermembranas para a matriz mitocondrial desacoplam a oxidação dos substratos da síntese de ATP, dissipando a energia do potencial de membrana e, conseqüentemente, diminuindo a produção de ATP pela cadeia respiratória mitocondrial. O aumento na expressão de UCP2 está relacionado com um risco diminuído de obesidade e risco aumentado de desenvolvimento de diabetes melito. O polimorfismo - 866G/A na região promotora do gene da UCP2 está associado a um aumento da expressão do RNAm desta proteína. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o envolvimento do polimorfismo -866G/A no gene UCP2 nas respostas metabólicas ao exercício e na taxa metabólica basal em jovens saudáveis. Foram recrutados 27 homens com idades entre 20 e 35 anos, sem histórico de doenças e sem uso de medicamentos, eutróficos e que não estivessem envolvidos em nenhum tipo de treinamento físico. Os indivíduos foram alocados intencionalmente em três diferentes grupos, de acordo com o genótipo para o polimorfismo em questão: A/A(n=9), A/G (n=10) e G/G (n=8). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a uma análise de taxa metabólica basal e após uma refeição padrão realizavam 30 minutos de corrida em esteira em intensidade equivalente a 10% abaixo do 2º limiar ventilatório. Em jejum, antes do exercício, logo após realização do exercício, uma hora após e duas horas após o exercício foram realizadas coletas de sangue para a verificação do comportamento das concentrações de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as respostas dos três grupos. Este estudo concluiu que isoladamente o polimorfismo -866G/A não exerce influência sobre a TMB e respostas de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico ao exercício em jovens saudáveis. / Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane and through the transport of protons from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix to uncouple oxidation of substrates for ATP synthesis, dissipating the energy of the membrane potential and, consequently, decreasing the production of ATP by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The increased expression of UCP2 is associated with a decreased risk of obesity and increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The polymorphism -866G/A in the promoter region of the UCP2 gene is associated with an increased mRNA expression of this protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the polymorphism -866G/A UCP2 gene in the metabolic responses to exercise and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in healthy young adults. We recruited 27 men aged between 20 and 35 years without history of disease and drug treatment, eutrophic and that were not involved in any type of physical training. The individuals were placed intentionally in three different groups according to genotype for the polymorphism related above: A/A (n=9), A/G (n=10) and G/G (n=8). All subjects underwent an analysis of BMR and after a standard meal performed 30 minutes of treadmill running at an intensity equivalent to 10% below the 2nd ventilatory threshold. Fasting, before exercise, immediately after exercise, after one hour and two hours after exercise, blood samples were collected to verify the behavior of glucose, insulin and lipid profile. No differences were found between the responses of the three groups. This study concluded that the polymorphism -866G/A in an isolated way does not influence BMR and responses of glucose, insulin and lipid profile over exercise in young healthy men.

Orientador: Maria Rita Marques de Oliveira / Banca: Maria Rita Marques de Oliveira / Banca: Maria Jacira Silva Simões / Banca: Rozangela Verlengia / Resumo: A obesidade é uma doença estreitamente relacionada ao desenvolvimento da síndrome metabólica (SM) e é fundamentalmente um problema de balanço energético que se desenvolve quando a ingestão de energia proveniente dos alimentos é maior que o gasto energético total. O gasto energético total compreende a taxa metabólica de repouso, o efeito térmico dos alimentos e os gastos com atividade física e pode ser medido pela calorimetria indireta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a relação da taxa metabólica de repouso (TMR) em mulheres obesas com os componentes da SM e fatores relacionados. O grupo de estudo foi constituído por 35 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 40 anos, que apresentavam um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior ou igual a 30 kg/m². Foram excluídas as mulheres portadoras de diabetes mellitus, hipotireoidismo, gestantes, lactantes e aquelas em tratamento (medicamentoso ou não) para obesidade e dislipidemias, além das portadoras de doenças graves. Foram aplicados um questionário para obtenção de dados sócio-demográficos, três recordatórios de 24 horas em dias não consecutivos sendo um final de semana e três diários de atividade física, aplicados no mesmo dia dos recordatórios. O comportamento alimentar foi avaliado pela escala de compulsão alimentar periódica (ECAP). Dentre as variáveis antropométricas foram avaliadas peso, estatura, circunferência de cintura, quadril e braço. A composição corporal (percentual de gordura e massa magra) foi avaliada pela bioimpedância elétrica e a TMR foi avaliada por meio do analisador de gases VO2000 MedGraphicsÒ. Foram ainda dosados em sangue o colesterol total e frações, glicose, insulina, proteína C reativa e triglicérides. As mulheres foram agrupadas quanto à presença ou não de SM e em tercil de TMR ajustada para a massa corporal (TMR/MC)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: It is known that obesity, a disease closely related to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS), is basically a problem of energy balance and develops when energy intake exceeds total energy expenditure. Total energetic expenditure includes basal metabolic rate, the thermogenic effect of food and expenditures with physical activity and can be determined by indirect calorimetry. The objective of this study was to relate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of obese women with MS components and related factors. The studied group included 35 women aged 18 to 40 years with a body mass index equal to or above 30 kg/m². Women with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, severe diseases, women being treated for obesity and dyslipidemias and pregnant and lactating women were excluded from this study. A questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic data, three 24-hour dietary recalls in non-consecutive days one being during the weekend and three physical activity diaries administered on the same day as the 24-hour recalls were administered. Eating behavior was assessed by the binge eating scale (BES). The following anthropometric variables were assessed: weight, height and waist, hip and arm circumferences. Body composition (percentage of fat and lean mass) was determined by electrical bioimpedance and the basal metabolic rate was assessed by the gas exchange testing system MedGraphics VO2000®. The women were divided into groups with and without the MS and in BMR terciles adjusted for body mass (BMR/BM). The results showed that there was no significantly statistical difference between the groups with and without the MS regarding income, physical activity, presence of binge eating disorder, dietary macronutrient and micronutrient composition, energy intake, BMR, respiratory quotient (RQ), BMR/BM or MBR/LM. When the women were divided into BMR/BM terciles, BMR/BM was not associated with MS components... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Proteínas desacopladoras (UCPs) estão presentes na membrana mitocondrial interna e por meio do transporte de prótons do espaço intermembranas para a matriz mitocondrial desacoplam a oxidação dos substratos da síntese de ATP, dissipando a energia do potencial de membrana e, conseqüentemente, diminuindo a produção de ATP pela cadeia respiratória mitocondrial. O aumento na expressão de UCP2 está relacionado com um risco diminuído de obesidade e risco aumentado de desenvolvimento de diabetes melito. O polimorfismo - 866G/A na região promotora do gene da UCP2 está associado a um aumento da expressão do RNAm desta proteína. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o envolvimento do polimorfismo -866G/A no gene UCP2 nas respostas metabólicas ao exercício e na taxa metabólica basal em jovens saudáveis. Foram recrutados 27 homens com idades entre 20 e 35 anos, sem histórico de doenças e sem uso de medicamentos, eutróficos e que não estivessem envolvidos em nenhum tipo de treinamento físico. Os indivíduos foram alocados intencionalmente em três diferentes grupos, de acordo com o genótipo para o polimorfismo em questão: A/A(n=9), A/G (n=10) e G/G (n=8). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a uma análise de taxa metabólica basal e após uma refeição padrão realizavam 30 minutos de corrida em esteira em intensidade equivalente a 10% abaixo do 2º limiar ventilatório. Em jejum, antes do exercício, logo após realização do exercício, uma hora após e duas horas após o exercício foram realizadas coletas de sangue para a verificação do comportamento das concentrações de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as respostas dos três grupos. Este estudo concluiu que isoladamente o polimorfismo -866G/A não exerce influência sobre a TMB e respostas de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico ao exercício em jovens saudáveis. / Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane and through the transport of protons from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix to uncouple oxidation of substrates for ATP synthesis, dissipating the energy of the membrane potential and, consequently, decreasing the production of ATP by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The increased expression of UCP2 is associated with a decreased risk of obesity and increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The polymorphism -866G/A in the promoter region of the UCP2 gene is associated with an increased mRNA expression of this protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the polymorphism -866G/A UCP2 gene in the metabolic responses to exercise and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in healthy young adults. We recruited 27 men aged between 20 and 35 years without history of disease and drug treatment, eutrophic and that were not involved in any type of physical training. The individuals were placed intentionally in three different groups according to genotype for the polymorphism related above: A/A (n=9), A/G (n=10) and G/G (n=8). All subjects underwent an analysis of BMR and after a standard meal performed 30 minutes of treadmill running at an intensity equivalent to 10% below the 2nd ventilatory threshold. Fasting, before exercise, immediately after exercise, after one hour and two hours after exercise, blood samples were collected to verify the behavior of glucose, insulin and lipid profile. No differences were found between the responses of the three groups. This study concluded that the polymorphism -866G/A in an isolated way does not influence BMR and responses of glucose, insulin and lipid profile over exercise in young healthy men.

Proteínas desacopladoras (UCPs) estão presentes na membrana mitocondrial interna e por meio do transporte de prótons do espaço intermembranas para a matriz mitocondrial desacoplam a oxidação dos substratos da síntese de ATP, dissipando a energia do potencial de membrana e, conseqüentemente, diminuindo a produção de ATP pela cadeia respiratória mitocondrial. O aumento na expressão de UCP2 está relacionado com um risco diminuído de obesidade e risco aumentado de desenvolvimento de diabetes melito. O polimorfismo - 866G/A na região promotora do gene da UCP2 está associado a um aumento da expressão do RNAm desta proteína. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o envolvimento do polimorfismo -866G/A no gene UCP2 nas respostas metabólicas ao exercício e na taxa metabólica basal em jovens saudáveis. Foram recrutados 27 homens com idades entre 20 e 35 anos, sem histórico de doenças e sem uso de medicamentos, eutróficos e que não estivessem envolvidos em nenhum tipo de treinamento físico. Os indivíduos foram alocados intencionalmente em três diferentes grupos, de acordo com o genótipo para o polimorfismo em questão: A/A(n=9), A/G (n=10) e G/G (n=8). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a uma análise de taxa metabólica basal e após uma refeição padrão realizavam 30 minutos de corrida em esteira em intensidade equivalente a 10% abaixo do 2º limiar ventilatório. Em jejum, antes do exercício, logo após realização do exercício, uma hora após e duas horas após o exercício foram realizadas coletas de sangue para a verificação do comportamento das concentrações de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as respostas dos três grupos. Este estudo concluiu que isoladamente o polimorfismo -866G/A não exerce influência sobre a TMB e respostas de glicose, insulina e perfil lipídico ao exercício em jovens saudáveis. / Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane and through the transport of protons from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix to uncouple oxidation of substrates for ATP synthesis, dissipating the energy of the membrane potential and, consequently, decreasing the production of ATP by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The increased expression of UCP2 is associated with a decreased risk of obesity and increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The polymorphism -866G/A in the promoter region of the UCP2 gene is associated with an increased mRNA expression of this protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the polymorphism -866G/A UCP2 gene in the metabolic responses to exercise and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in healthy young adults. We recruited 27 men aged between 20 and 35 years without history of disease and drug treatment, eutrophic and that were not involved in any type of physical training. The individuals were placed intentionally in three different groups according to genotype for the polymorphism related above: A/A (n=9), A/G (n=10) and G/G (n=8). All subjects underwent an analysis of BMR and after a standard meal performed 30 minutes of treadmill running at an intensity equivalent to 10% below the 2nd ventilatory threshold. Fasting, before exercise, immediately after exercise, after one hour and two hours after exercise, blood samples were collected to verify the behavior of glucose, insulin and lipid profile. No differences were found between the responses of the three groups. This study concluded that the polymorphism -866G/A in an isolated way does not influence BMR and responses of glucose, insulin and lipid profile over exercise in young healthy men.

Vários estudos analisando a taxa de metabolismo de repouso (TMR) contribuíram com equações cuja proposta era estabelecer padrões que pudessem ser genericamente utilizadas para se estimar a TMR. A equação de Harris-Benedict (HB), permanece como o método mais comumente utilizado para estimar a TMR. Porém, em indivíduos obesos o uso de equações preditivas da TMR pode levar a resultados conflitantes. Indivíduos obesos submetidos a dietas hipocalóricas podem apresentar uma diminuição da TMR e do gasto energético total. Isto pode ser a causa da redução na velocidade da perda de peso durante o tratamento. Outros estudos mostram que a TMR, quando corrigida para a massa livre de gordura (MLG), apresenta pouca variabilidade e propõem uma correlação entre MLG e TMR. Porém ainda existem dificuldades em se afirmar ou não se a redução de massa corporal também reduz a TMR. O presente estudo teve como objetivos determinar a TMR de indivíduos com obesidade grau III (IMC > 40 kg/m2) do sexo feminino obtida por meio de calorimetria indireta (CI) e comparar com a TMR estimada por meio da equação de HB utilizando-se peso atual e peso ideal. Relacionar a TMR medida por CI com a composição corporal e validar a relação entre a TMR e a MLG nestes indivíduos antes e após a perda de peso. As pacientes foram internadas na Unidade Metabólica da Divisão de Nutrologia do Departamento de Clínica Médica do HCFMRP-USP, durante um período de 8 semanas. No início e no final do estudo foram realizadas: avaliação nutricional incluindo antropometria, bioimpedância e calorimetria indireta. As pacientes foram submetidas a uma dieta hipocalórica durante a internação. A TMR medida por calorimetria indireta (CI) no início e final do estudo foi de 2540 ± 417 e 1924 ± 275 kcal/dia, respectivamente (p<0,05). Quando calculado pela equação de HB utilizando-se peso atual, os valores encontrados foram 2074 ± 214 e 1941 ± 190 kcal/dia (p<0,05). Utilizando-se o peso ideal a TMR calculada foi de 1343 ± 59 kcal/dia. A TMR medida por CI foi, em média, 18 % maior que a calculada por HB pelo peso atual e 47 % maior que a calculada por HB utilizando-se o peso ideal no início do estudo. No final do estudo estes valores passaram para 1% e 30% respectivamente. Comparando-se a TMR medida por CI e calculada por HB usando peso atual tem-se, no início do estudo uma diferença significante (p<0,05) que não se repete no final do estudo (p>0,05). A TMR, quando corrigida para massa livre de gordura no início e no final do estudo foi de 46 ± 6 e 35 ± 5 kcal/d/MLG (p<0,05) respectivamente e quando corrigida para a gordura corporal (GC) foi de 33 ± 6 e 30 ± 5 kcal/d/GC (p<0,05) respectivamente. Os dados encontrados no presente estudo não permitem afirmar que o uso da equação de HB possa estimar a TMR de maneira confiável em indivíduos obesos grau III do sexo feminino. Porém os dados sugerem que logo após submeter esses indivíduos à dieta hipocalórica, com conseqüente perda de peso a equação de HB se torna confiável para estimar a TMR. Pacientes obesos ingerindo dieta livre deveriam ter a TMR obtida por meio da equação de HB corrigida por um fator de 20% a mais. / Studies analyzing resting energy expenditure (REE) have contributed with equations that were intended to establish a pattern that could be used generally to estimate the REE. Harris Benedict’s (HB) equation remains as the most used in estimating the REE. But in obese subjects, the use of predictive equations can lead to conflicting results. Obese individuals undergoing a hypo caloric diet may have a reduction in the REE and in the total energy expenditure. These are the most probably cause of the slowing on weight loss during the treatment. Some studies show that when the REE is relative to the fat free mass (FFM) there is less variability and their proposal is a correlation between FFM and REE. But it is difficult to confirm if a reduction in total body mass also can diminish the REE. The objective of this study was to define the REE of female subjects with grade III obesity (body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2) using indirect calorimetry (IC) and to compare this REE with the one estimated with HB equation using real body weight and ideal body weight, and try to correlate the REE obtained by IC with the body composition, validating the relation between REE and FFM in these individual before and after weight loss. The patients were under hospital regimen in the Metabolic Unit of the Nutrology Division of the Internal Medicine Department of the HCFMRP-USP, for an 8 weeks period. At the beginning and at the end of the study, nutritional assessment was realized, including anthropometry, bioimpedance and indirect calorimetry. The patients were undergoing a hypo caloric diet during the 8 week period. The REE obtained by indirect calorimetry (IC) at the beginning and at the end of the study was 2540 ± 417 e 1924 ± 275 kcal/day, respectively (p<0,05). When estimated with the HB equation using real weight the values were 2074 ± 214 e 1941 ± 190 kcal/day (p<0,05). Using the ideal weight, the calculated REE was 1343 ± 59 kcal/day. At the beginning of the study, REE obtained by IC was 18 % greater than the REE calculated with HB equation using the real weight and 47 % greater than the one calculated using the ideal body weight. At the end of the study these values changed to 1% e 30% respectively. There is a significant difference (p<0,05) when comparing the REE obtained by IC with the one calculated using the HB equation with real weight at the beginning of the study, but this does not happen at the end of the study (p>0,05). The REE corrected by the FFM at the beginning and at the end of the study was 46 ± 6 e 35 ± 5 kcal/d/FFM (p<0,05) respectively and the REE corrected by the fat mass (FM) was 3 ± 6 e 30 ± 5 kcal/d/FM (p<0,05) respectively. The data found in this study does not allow affirming that the use of HB equation to predict REE in female grade III obese subjects is reliable. But the data suggest that immediately after using a hypo caloric diet, the REE calculated using HB equation and real weight is reliable. When calculating the REE of female grade III obese patients undergoing a free diet using HB equation, the obtained value should be increased in 20 %.

Temperature variation affects most biological parameters from the molecular level to community structure and dynamics. Current studies on thermal biology assess how populations vary in response to environmental temperature, which can help determine how populations differentially respond to climate change. To date, temperature fluctuation effects on endothermic poikilotherms such as the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) are unknown even though bumblebees are the most important natural pollinators in North America. A cold-acclimation experiment with B. impatiens colonies revealed individuals acclimated to 5°C or 10°C at night did not differ in resting metabolic rate, flight metabolic rate, wingbeat frequency, or morphological measurements, compared to the control group. Moreover, an infrared camera showed that all colonies maintained maximum nest temperature consistently above 36.8°C. A latitudinal sampling of flight metabolic rate and morphological measurements of B. impatiens from four locations spanning Ontario (N 45°; W 75°) to North Carolina (N 34°; W 77°) indicated no latitudinal trend in the measured variables. This study shows that bumblebees are well equipped to face a wide range of environmental temperatures, both in the short term and long term, and can use a combination of behavioural and physiological mechanisms to regulate body and nest temperatures. These results are reassuring on the direct effects of climate change on bumblebee ecology, but further studies on the indirect effect of temperature variation on North American bumblebees are required to predict future ecosystem dynamics.

Membrane diversity associated with variation in body mass and body temperature of hymenopterans was investigated. Body mass of organisms affects most aspects of their biology, including physiological traits. One trait influenced by mass is metabolic rate, but the basis for its variation among organisms remains unclear. Recent work revealed that membrane phospholipid composition varies systematically with body mass: smaller vertebrates with higher mass-specific metabolic rates have more fluid membranes containing more long chains of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and less monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). This “membrane pacemaker” theory of metabolism has recently been challenged by a lack of link between metabolic rate and membrane composition. To test this relationship, we have quantified the membrane lipid composition of 22 species of Panamanian orchid bees with a 22-fold range in mass. Results incorporating phylogenetic analysis show significant relationships for 18:1 (MUFA) and 18:3 (PUFA) with body mass that are consistent with the “pacemaker” theory, and unexpected relationships with saturated fatty acids (SFA). Moreover, changes in membrane fatty acid composition with temperature are a strategy in ectothermic poïkilotherms that is part of the “homeoviscous adaptation” model. Here, we report systematic variations in fatty acid composition linked with thoracic temperature excess in North American Hymenopterans, a novel discovery in these heterotherms. These findings are discussed in the context of diet, metabolism and lifespan.

The role of divergent climate adaptation in speciation has received surprisingly little scientific attention. My dissertation research focused on how resting metabolic rate (RMR) relates to the build up of prezygotic and postzygotic isolation in a natural Ficedula flycatcher hybrid zone. RMR is the amount of energy an organism needs to run its internal organs. Since RMR is related to life history traits and thermoregulation in other systems, it is likely to affect speciation processes at secondary contact. I found that adult collared flycatchers displace pied flycatchers into increasingly poor habitats (Paper I). Pied nestlings exhibit lower RMR in poor environments (Paper II), which may promote regional coexistence and habitat isolation by making it possible for pied flycatchers to escape competition from collared flycatchers and reduce the risk of hybridization by breeding in the poorer habitats. Further, I found that while collared flycatcher nestling RMR was not environmentally-dependent (Paper II, Paper III), those collared flycatcher nestlings that had a lower RMR in poor environments tended to have higher condition (Paper III). Further, RMR was genetically linked to a sexual ornament in collared males that has previously been shown to be beneficial in poor environments. Lastly, I found that by seven days old, nestlings increase their metabolic rate when listening to song, indicating that they are listening, and by 9 days they can discriminate between songs (Paper IV). Taken together, RMR could affect pre-zygotic isolation via correlations with life history strategies, song and sexual ornaments. RMR is also related to post zygotic isolation in Ficedula flycatchers. I found that flycatcher hybrids tended to have a higher RMR than the parental species (Paper V), and that there were many differentially expressed genes in energetically expensive organs in hybrids that were related to metabolic function (Paper VI). Thus, metabolic dysfunction, possibly caused by genetic incompatibilities, in Ficedula flycatcher hybrids could be a factor leading to infertility and postzygotic isolation between the parental species. Overall, I find that RMR could be a general physiological trait that affects both pre- and postzygotic isolation in hybridizing species at secondary contact, and ought to be more thoroughly considered in speciation research.