Journal article
Fat and fed: frequent use of summer torpor in a subtropical bat
The Science of Nature, Vol.97(1), pp.29-35
2010
PMID: 19756460
Abstract
A widely held view is that torpor is avoided by mammals whenever possible because of potential costs associated with reduced body temperatures and slowed metabolic processes. We examined this hypothesis by quantifying use of torpor in relation to body condition of free-ranging northern long-eared bats (Nyctophilus bifax, approximately 10 g), a species known to hibernate, from a subtropical region during the austral summer when insects were abundant. Temperature-telemetry revealed that bats used torpor on 85% of observation days and on 38% of all nights. Torpor bouts ranged from 0.7 to 21.2 h, but the relationship between duration of torpor bouts and ambient temperature was not significant. However, skin temperature of torpid bats was positively correlated with ambient temperature. Against predictions, individuals with a high body condition index (i.e., good fat/energy reserves) expressed longer and deeper torpor bouts and also employed torpor more often during the activity phase at night than those with low body condition index. We provide the first evidence that use of torpor in a free-ranging subtropical mammal is positively related with high body condition index. This suggests that employment of torpor is maximised and foraging minimised not because of food shortages or low energy stores but likely to avoid predation when bats are not required to feed.
Details
- Title
- Fat and fed: frequent use of summer torpor in a subtropical bat
- Authors
- Clare Stawski (Corresponding Author) - University of New EnglandFritz Geiser (Author) - University of New England
- Publication details
- The Science of Nature, Vol.97(1), pp.29-35
- Publisher
- Springer
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00114-009-0606-x
- ISSN
- 1432-1904
- PMID
- 19756460
- Grant note
- University of New England and Bat Conservation International to CS Australian Research Council
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99678997402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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