Developmental Stability, Population Dynamics and Climate Change, with Particular Reference to the Common Shrew (<i>Sorex araneus</i> L., 1758) in Central Siberia

Abstract

We examine temporal variation in a measure of developmental stability, the degree of fluctuating asymmetry of the characters of skull morphology, of the common shrew (Sorex araneus L., 1758) in Central Siberia. Four-year cycles in this population in the last century were accompanied by significant changes in the level of developmental stability. Population fluctuations under the climate change conditions in this century commonly occur without essential changes in developmental stability. Deterioration of developmental stability takes place occasionally in case of adverse overpopulation impact in the year of peak population abundance that is beyond the certain threshold level increased due to the climate change.