Evolution of homeothermy in mammals

Publication information:

Crompton, Taylor, and Jagger. 1978. “Evolution of Homeothermy in Mammals”. NatureNature, 272, Pp. 333-6

Abstract

We propose that mammalian homeothermy was 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.