They like it cold, but only in winter: Climate‐mediated effects on a hibernator. (21st August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fietz, Joanna; Langer, Franz; Schlund, Wolfgang
• Editors: Levesque, Danielle
• Is Part Of: Functional ecology. Volume 34:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 2098
• Page End: 2109
• Publication Date: 2020-08-21
• Subjects: climate change -- energetics -- hibernation physiology -- small mammal -- thermoregulation; Ecology -- Periodicals; 574.505
• DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-8463

Abstract

Abstract: Variations in ambient temperature ( T a ) profoundly influence energy consumption in endotherms and therefore their survival and fitness. But depending on whether endotherms are hibernating or active, the same changes in T a may have opposing consequences for their energy consumption. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how variations in T a, occurring during hibernation and during the active period of a hibernator, affect different fitness relevant traits. To understand whether changes in T a impact phenology, body mass and reproduction in a small mammalian hibernator, we analysed T a variations and detailed capture–mark–recapture data on edible dormice Glis glis collected between 1993 and 2016 in South‐West Germany. Results revealed that during hibernation a T a increase of 1°C advanced the date of first capture after hibernation by 6 days, but only if food availability during the preceding year was low. In contrast, after years of comparatively high food availability, date of first capture was not affected by T a, but dormice had a significantly lower body mass after emergence, if T a during hibernation was elevated (3–6 g per 1°C). We presume that an earlier emergence as well as a lower body mass after emergence potentially reduces the chance to survive. During the active period of edible dormice, mean spring T a did not affect the date of birth but was positively associated with litter size, potentially improving reproductive success. Results of this study highlight that, depending on the physiological state of a hibernator, an increase in T a can have positive and negative effects on fitness relevant traits. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. Abstract : A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.