Abstract
SummaryTo 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.
Highlights
Habitat degradation and loss have been identified as key contributors to a reduction in biodiversity and an increase in extinctions around the world, with natural habitats for many animals currently reduced by up to 18% and this is predicted to increase to 23% by 2100 (Woinarski et al, 2011; Monastersky, 2014; Beyer and Manica, 2020)
To cope with the challenges presented by habitat degradation and loss, animals must often respond by adjusting physiological and behavioral mechanisms
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
Summary
Habitat degradation and loss have been identified as key contributors to a reduction in biodiversity and an increase in extinctions around the world, with natural habitats for many animals currently reduced by up to 18% and this is predicted to increase to 23% by 2100 (Woinarski et al, 2011; Monastersky, 2014; Beyer and Manica, 2020). For those species that have so far survived such large-scale environmental changes, selection has favored a range of physiological adaptations that help maintain energy balance in the face of these challenges (Ziv and Davidowitz, 2019). Recent reviews have revealed that the chance of survival for mammals may be enhanced by torpor use, for example, by decreasing energetic and foraging requirements, which would reduce the amount of time an individual is exposed to predators (Geiser and Turbill, 2009; Liow et al, 2009; Stawski and Geiser, 2010; Hanna and Cardillo, 2014; Bastos et al, 2021)
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