________ rule states that mammals from colder climates generally have shorter ears and limbs to minimise heat loss.

The correct answer is Allen's rule

Explanation:

• Allen's Rule is a biological principle that states that endothermic (warm-blooded) animals adapted to cold climates have shorter appendages (such as limbs, ears, and tails) compared to those adapted to warmer climates. This is an adaptation to minimize heat loss.
• The rule is named after the American zoologist Joel Asaph Allen, who first formulated it in 1877.
• According to Allen's Rule, animals in colder climates will have shorter extremities to reduce surface area and thereby conserve body heat. Conversely, animals in warmer climates will have longer extremities to help dissipate body heat.