THERMAL INDICATIONS OF CUTANEOUS BLOOD-FLOW IN THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

1. 1. Cutaneous surface and subdermal heat flow measurements were made for a 67.1 kg alligator and combined with previously reported data from smaller alligators. 2. 2. Mean cutaneous blood flow rates of 0.016ml blood/min per cm2 of skin are thermally indicated at a body temperature of 25°C. 3. 3. This result is in good agreement with the rate of blood flow calculated from 133Xe clearance halftime. 4. 4. Body conductance obtained from the present work show trends with weight in accord with those expected from previously reported thermal time constants. 5. 5. Regression equations for 25°C whole body conductance vs weight for warming, cooling and dead conditions are as follows, with conductance in cal/cm2 per min per °C and W in kg: Cw = 0.076W-0.21; Cc = 0.061W-0.34; Cd = 0.039W-0.32. © 1979.