bradymetabolism

bradymetabolism

the pattern of thermal physiology in which an animal possesses a relatively low BASAL METABOLIC RATE when measured at a body temperature of 37 °C. In such animals a fall in core temperature simply results in a reduction of BMR. Although usually poikilothermic (see POIKILOTHERM and ectothermic (see ECTOTHERM), many bradymetabolic forms are able to attain varying degrees of homoiothermy (see HOMOIOTHERM). All living lower vertebrates and invertebrates are bradymetabolic.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005