Abstract Aim We reviewed 54 studies reporting population densities of wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) in western Eurasia order to investigate the roles vegetation productivity [fraction photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR) index], winter harshness (mean January temperature) and presence/absence wolves Canis lupus shaping biogeographical variation density boar. Location collected published data on autumn–winter (number individuals km −2 locations Eurasia, from 1966 2003. Methods The mean...

Abstract The wolf ( Canis lupus ) is arguably the most successful species at recolonizing its now human‐dominated former ranges in Europe and North America. Over centuries while was absent, humans have transformed ecosystems to a large extent. In this paper, we highlight key aspects of these human‐modified that include changes (meso)carnivore communities, wolves themselves (genetics, behaviour), woody plant communities playing field for predator–prey interactions (landscape structure). We...

Summary We compiled published values of mammalian maximum oxygen consumption during exercise (VO2max) and supplemented these data with new measurements VO2max for the largest rodent (capybara), 20 species smaller-bodied rodents, two weasels, one small marsupial. Many were obtained running-wheel respirometers instead treadmill systems used in most previous VO2max. both conventional phylogenetically informed allometric regression models to analyze 77 ‘species’ (including subspecies or separate...

ABSTRACT Plant–herbivore interactions are hypothesized to drive vole population cycles through the grazing-induced production of phytoliths in leaves. Phytoliths act as mechanical defences because they deter herbivory and lower growth rates mammals. However, how impair herbivore performance is still unknown. Here, we tested whether amount changes tooth wear patterns. If confirmed, abrasion from could play a role crashes. We applied dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) laboratory wild...

1. Energy can be limiting, especially for small animals with high metabolisms, particularly if they rely on ephemeral resources. Some energy-saving strategies, such as torpor, impair physiological processes. Alternatively, group living reduce energetic costs through social thermoregulation. This may allow individuals to maintain a metabolism well processes gamete production. Although is common, its benefits heterothermic during the season of sperm production have yet investigated. 2. We...

We studied factors influencing daily energy expenditures (DEE) of male least weasels (Mustela nivalis) using the doubly labelled water technique. The relationship between ambient temperature and DEE formed a triangular pattern, characterized by invariance maximum an inverse minimum temperature. A simple energetic model relating to activity time (AT) predicted that, across seasons, less than 10 per cent measurements approach upper bound observed DEE. Male were able maintain relatively...

Summary The significant repeatability of a trait interest is vital condition for meaningful extrapolation its value over long time periods, and any inference related to response environmental conditions. Surprisingly, although body mass resting metabolic rate (RMR) are widely recognized as the two important traits affecting mammalian ecology life history, very little known about their in wild. Here we report long‐term repeatabilities RMR, measured summer winter, free‐living weasel males,...

Although the biological significance of individual variation in physiological traits is widely recognized, studies their association with fitness wild populations are surprisingly scarce. We investigated effect phenotypic body mass, resting (RMR) and peak metabolic rates (PMR) on mortality root vole Microtus oeconomus. Body mass varied significantly among consecutive years were also age dependent, as individuals born late summer autumn characterized by lower than animals earlier. At...

Summary It has been hypothesized that the induction of silicon (Si)‐based plant defence in response to herbivore damage may engender rodent population cycles. Many studies have also considered accumulation Si as a process controlled by geo‐hydrological factors. To test these ideas, we investigated relationship between concentration fibrous tussock sedge ( C arex appropinquata ) and density major consumer, root vole M icrotus oeconomus ), field enclosures natural habitat under variety water...

Summary 1. The absolute energy needs of small animals are generally lower than those larger animals. This should drive higher mortality animals, when the environmental conditions deteriorate. However, demonstration effect constraints on survivals proved difficult, because range body mass within species is too to produce enough variation for studying such an effect. An opportunity intraspecific study comes from weasels inhabiting Białowieża Forest (north-eastern Poland), which characterized...

Abstract Body mass (BM) and resting metabolic rates (RMR) are two inexorably linked traits strongly related to mammalian life histories. Yet, there have been no studies attempting estimate heritable variation covariation of BM RMR in natural populations. We used a marker‐based approach construct pedigree then the ‘animal model’ narrow sense heritability ( h 2 ) these free‐living population weasels Mustela nivalis —a small carnivore characterised by wide range extremely high RMR. The most...

The heat dissipation limit (HDL) hypothesis suggests that the capacity of endotherms to dissipate body may impose constraints on their energy expenditure. Specifically, this predicts should avoid detrimental consequences hyperthermia by lowering expenditure and reducing activity in response high ambient temperatures (T(a)). We used an extensive data set daily (DEE, n = 27) time (AT, 48) male weasels (Mustela nivalis) during spring summer breeding season test these predictions. found T(a) was...

In general, landscape genetic studies have ignored the potential role that phenotype of individuals plays in determining fine-scale structure species. This over-simplification ignores an important component dispersal is both condition- and phenotype-dependent. order to investigate relationship between dispersal, habitat selection phenotype, we examined spatial ecology, body mass weasels (Mustela nivalis) Białowieża Forest Poland. Our study population characterized by almost three-fold...

Abstract Recent studies on grasses and sedges suggested that the induction of a mechanism reducing digestibility plant tissues in response to herbivore damage may drive rodent population cycles. This defence seems rely abrasive properties ingested plants. However, underlying has not been demonstrated small wild herbivores. Therefore, we carried out an experiment which determined joint effect sedge components histological structure intestine as well Resting Metabolic Rates (RMR) root voles...

The ability of animals to produce endogenous heat provides a buffer against environmental changes but also incurs high energetic costs. Especially small endothermic mammals have energy demands. Some temperate-zone species (heterotherms) regularly use torpor, which slows down their entire metabolism potentially delays reproduction, compensate for this. We used unique experimental approach test the consequences extended low and ambient temperatures on trade-off in allocation body mass...

Summary The small size and elongate shape of weasels (Mustela nivalis Linnaeus) probably evolved to facilitate movement within the burrow systems prey species, but result in high energy costs thermoregulation. In this study we measured metabolic rates during voluntary locomotion determine if transport are also these unusually shaped mammals. addtion, lower upper limits aerobic metabolism (resting rate; RMR, maximal oxygen consumption forced exercise; VO2max), used wide range adult...

Metabolic rates and body mass of mammals vary seasonally along with ambient temperatures food availability. At the population level, seasonal changes in metabolic rate can be due to selective mortality or emigration individuals whose differs from average for population. Alternatively, change seasonally, such that increases decreases shifts physiology overall The latter implies respond a similar manner changing conditions. We studied (BM) resting (RMR) free-ranging male weasels (Mustela...

Despite its presumed significance, the association between immune defence, energy expenditures and overwinter survival is rarely studied. We analysed individual variation in immunocompetence quantified as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L), total white blood cells (WBC) natural antibody levels, along with resting (RMR) peak metabolic rates (PMR) mortality during three consecutive winter seasons a population of root vole, Microtus oeconomus . In early winter, WBC count was negatively...

Abstract Experimental manipulation of energy expenditure has long been recognized as an effective means for identifying causative effects and avoiding confounded interpretations arising from spurious correlations. This approach successfully applied mainly in studies on birds, particularly reproducing adults, while manipulations mammals have proved more problematic. Here we tested the hypothesis that shaving off 50% dorsal pelage should effectively increase wild root voles (Microtus...

The evolution of endothermic thermoregulation is rooted in the processes involving high metabolism, which allows maintenance and stable body temperatures (Tb). In turn, selection for metabolism correlates with increased size metabolically active organs thus basal metabolic rate (BMR). Endothermic animals are characterized by an MR several times that similar-sized ectotherms. However, many small mammals temporally heterothermic able to decrease Tb entering daily torpor or hibernation. Both...