Scaling of standard energy metabolism in mammals: I. Neglect of circadian rhythms.

The original data employed to derive the three-quarters power rule relating standard or basal energy metabolism in mammals to adult body weight are examined. It is shown that the data may contain a systematic bias due to an (apparent) neglect of circadian rhythms. Correction for this bias would tend to decrease the slope of the regression line, bringing it into better conformity with the value of about two-thirds obtained in a recent study of a larger sample by Bartels (1982).