On the validity of Bergmann's rule

@article{Meiri2003OnTV,
  title={On the validity of Bergmann's rule},
  author={Shai Meiri and Tamar Dayan},
  journal={Journal of Biogeography},
  year={2003},
  volume={30}
}
  • Shai MeiriT. Dayan
  • Published 1 March 2003
  • Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry
  • Journal of Biogeography
Aim We reviewed the occurrence of Bergmann's rule in birds (ninety‐four species) and mammals (149 species), using only studies where statistical significance of the results was tested. We also tested whether studies using different characters as surrogates of body size have a different tendency to conform to Bergmann's rule, whether body size and nest type (in birds) have an influence on the tendency to conform to the rule, and whether sedentary birds conform to the rule more than migratory… 
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Conformity to Bergmann's rule in birds depends on nest design and migration

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Bergmann's rule across the equator: a case study in Cerdocyon thous (Canidae).

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References

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Broad support is found for Bergmann’s rule as a general trend for mammals; however, the analyses do not support heat conservation as the explanation.

On the Ecological Significance of Bergmann's Rule

A positive correlation of weight with latitude in homoiotherms (Bergmann's rule) cannot normally depend upon the physics of heat exchange. Most latitudinally widespread mammals in North America do…

Geographic gradients in body size: a clarification of Bergmann's rule

1997 marked the sesquicentenary of the publication by Carl Bergmann of the observation that, in general, large‐bodied animal species tend to live further north than their small‐bodied relatives. This…

Do amphibians follow Bergmann's rule?

It is not clear whether Bergmann's rule, larger size within species in cooler areas, holds for any group of ectotherms. Data are presented and used to test whether amphibians show body-size patterns…

Bergmann's rule is invalid

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  • Environmental Science
    Evolution; international journal of organic evolution
  • 1977
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It is proposed that minimization of maintenance energy costs on a per individual basis, and thus small size, is advantageous in equable (and predictable) environments.

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