More functions of torpor and their roles in a changing world

Julia Nowack; Clare Stawski; Fritz Geiser

doi:10.1007/s00360-017-1100-y

Back

More functions of torpor and their roles in a changing world

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

More functions of torpor and their roles in a changing world

Julia Nowack, Clare Stawski and Fritz Geiser

Journal of Comparative Physiology B, Vol.187(5-6), pp.889-897

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-017-1100-y

PMCID: PMC5486538

PMID: 28432393

Files and links (2)

pdf

More functions of torpor and their roles in a changing world729.13 kBDownload View

Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-017-1100-yView

Published Version

Abstract

Animals

Biological Evolution

Climatic Processes

Extreme Heat

Fires

Longevity

Torpor - physiology

Increased winter survival by reducing energy expenditure in adult animals is often viewed as the primary function of torpor. However, torpor has many other functions that ultimately increase the survival of heterothermic mammals and birds. In this review, we summarize new findings revealing that animals use torpor to cope with the conditions during and after natural disasters, including fires, storms, and heat waves. Furthermore, we suggest that torpor, which also prolongs longevity and was likely crucial for survival of mammals during the time of the dinosaur extinctions, will be advantageous in a changing world. Climate change is assumed to lead to an increase in the occurrence and intensity of climatic disasters, such as those listed above and also abnormal floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. The opportunistic use of torpor, found in many heterothermic species, will likely enhance survival of these challenges, because these species can reduce energy and foraging requirements. However, many strictly seasonal hibernators will likely face the negative consequences of the predicted increase in temperature, such as range contraction. Overall, available data suggest that opportunistic heterotherms with their flexible energy requirements have an adaptive advantage over homeotherms in response to unpredictable conditions.

Details

Title: More functions of torpor and their roles in a changing world
Authors: Julia Nowack (Author) - University of New England
Clare Stawski (Author) - University of New England
Fritz Geiser (Author) - University of New England
Publication details: Journal of Comparative Physiology B, Vol.187(5-6), pp.889-897
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1007/s00360-017-1100-y
ISSN: 1432-136X; 0174-1578
PMID: 28432393; PMC5486538
Copyright note: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99638879202621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

3 File views/ downloads

79 Record Views

89 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Physiology; Zoology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites