Bergmann's Rule
Formal Statement
"Endothermic animals in colder climates tend to be larger than related species in warmer climates"
Mathematical Form
Follows from surface-area-to-volume scaling: larger bodies have relatively less surface area, reducing heat loss Description
Within a broadly distributed genus, species in colder regions are typically larger-bodied. Polar bears are larger than sun bears; Arctic wolves are larger than Arabian wolves.
Biological Implication
Larger body size is advantageous in cold environments because volume (heat generation) scales faster than surface area (heat loss). This is why the largest land mammals (mammoths, woolly rhinoceros) lived in cold climates.
Business Implication
In 'cold' business environments (low growth, high competition, tight margins), larger organizations may have advantages - more reserves, lower per-unit costs, greater ability to absorb losses. In 'warm' environments (high growth, abundant resources), smaller organizations can thrive because they don't need the thermal mass. Market climate influences optimal organizational size.