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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Contrasting physiological responses to habitat degradation in two arboreal mammals
iScience, Vol.24(12), pp.1-19
2021
PMID: 34988391
Abstract
To cope with the challenges presented by habitat degradation and loss, animals must often respond by adjusting physiological and behavioral mechanisms. Here we quantified physiological and behavioral traits, including body temperature and food consumption, of two mammals with differing thermoregulatory strategies in response to changes in climate and habitat. We show that both species responded to challenging climatic conditions by increasing torpor use to save energy, yet their responses were impacted by varying vegetation levels. Sugar gliders decreased torpor use in a dense habitat likely due to a signal of greater food production and protection from predators. Conversely, eastern pygmy possums employed more torpor perhaps to build up fat reserves in anticipation of leaner times. Indeed, in dense habitat eastern pygmy possums did not alter food intake yet showed an increase in body mass, whereas sugar gliders consumed less food and lost body mass, revealing the large energetic savings provided by torpor.
Details
- Title
- Contrasting physiological responses to habitat degradation in two arboreal mammals
- Authors
- Clare Stawski (Author) - University of New EnglandEmily G Simmonds (Author) - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Publication details
- iScience, Vol.24(12), pp.1-19
- Publisher
- Cell Press
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103453
- ISSN
- 2589-0042
- PMID
- 34988391
- Copyright note
- This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99611608702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
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Source: InCites