Abstract
We propose that mammalian homeothermy was acquired in two steps. The first step enabled mammals to invade a nocturnal niche without an increase in resting metabolic rate. The second step enabled them to invade a diurnal niche and involved the acquisition of higher body temperatures and metabolic rates.
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Crompton, A., Taylor, C. & Jagger, J. Evolution of homeothermy in mammals. Nature 272, 333–336 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/272333a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/272333a0
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