Fluctuating temperatures are characteristic of the environment of most organisms, yet constant temperatures are most frequently used for laboratory studies on their life histories. The literature has been reviewed to point out some of the ways in which constant-temperature data for rates of development, developmental thresholds, fertility, and other life-history phenomena could be misleading when an ecologist attempts to model a natural system or to extrapolate to field conditions. To implement the replacement of constant-temperature studies with fluctuating temperature studies, 2 previously reported timer-controlled bimetallic or mercury thermostat devices and a new timer-controlled solid-state controller thresdevice are discussed. With the new device the maximum and minimum temperatures are set with 2 potentiometers, and a synchronous motor timer is used to switch between the 2 potentiometers. The earlier devices have the advantage of controlling the temperature throughout the cycle. However, with the new device the temperature drifts between maximum and minimum temperatures at a rate of 2–5°C per hour, and this rate is similar to the rate of change in the field. The new device has the advantage of a more easily changed temperature program and remote control of the temperature cabinet, with no need to place the entire device within the cabinet.

中文翻译：

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一种简单的产生波动温度的装置，评估波动温度的生态意义1

波动的温度是大多数生物体环境的特征，但恒温最常用于对其生活史的实验室研究。已经对文献进行了审查，以指出当生态学家试图对自然系统建模或外推时，关于发育速度、发育阈值、生育率和其他生活史现象的恒温数据可能会产生误导的一些方式。场条件。为了用波动温度研究取代恒温研究，讨论了 2 个先前报道的定时器控制的双金属或汞恒温器装置和一个新的定时器控制的固态控制器 thresdevice。使用新设备，最高和最低温度由 2 个电位计设置，同步电机定时器用于在2个电位器之间切换。较早的设备具有在整个循环过程中控制温度的优势。然而，使用新设备时，温度在最高和最低温度之间以每小时 2–5°C 的速度漂移，这个速度与现场的变化速度相似。新设备的优点是更容易更改温度程序和温度柜的远程控制，无需将整个设备放置在柜内。而这个速度，和现场的变化速度差不多。新设备的优点是更容易更改温度程序和远程控制温度柜，无需将整个设备放置在柜内。而这个速度，和田间的变化速度差不多。新设备的优点是更容易更改温度程序和远程控制温度柜，无需将整个设备放置在柜内。