Abstract
Animals’ adaptation to life in cities is a widely studied issue in ecology. One such adaptation is the adjustment of stress response to new conditions and anthropogenic disturbances. There are various examples of such adjustments in urban birds, but the stress response of non-avian species has rarely been investigated. We studied an urban and a rural population of a small mammal, the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius. We compared baseline corticosterone (CORT) concentration in faecal samples from mice, using ELISA tests with antibodies for this hormone. We found that although urban specimens have more anthropogenic stressors than their rural equivalents, they do not have an elevated level of CORT. This confirms the hypothesis that urban animals undergo hormonal adjustment to urban conditions. Moreover, the CORT concentrations of urban mice were lower compared to their rural conspecifics, while for body weight we observed an inverse relationship. A CORT level allows urban mammals to redirect more energy to weight gain (body fat); this is probably an effect of the lower pressure of competitors in urban areas, as well as better food availability (access to anthropogenic food). The results of this work show that species that have managed to overcome fear of humans and adapt to anthropogenic stressors can therefore achieve measurable ecological benefits.
Highlights
Rapid worldwide urbanization is causing a decline in the richness and abundance of many native species (Chace and Walsh 2006; McKinney 2008)
It is considered that urban habitats can shape endocrine traits, and that these traits might contribute to adaptation to urban environments (Bonier 2012)
We studied an urban population of the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771)
Summary
Rapid worldwide urbanization is causing a decline in the richness and abundance of many native species (Chace and Walsh 2006; McKinney 2008). Many studies of animals in urban areas have focused on their behaviour, morphology, and physiology in comparison to non-urban populations of these species (Bonier 2012; Brearley et al 2012; Giraudeau and McGraw 2014; Meillere et al 2015; Vincze et al 2016). Glucocorticoids are secreted by the adrenal glands (as part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis system) and are often referred to as the stress hormone. Their role in physiology is much broader because they play a multifaceted role in
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
