In this study, we investigated the timing and duration of hibernation as well body temperature patterns in free-ranging common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) with regard to sex age differences. Body was recorded using subcutaneously implanted data loggers. The results demonstrate that although immergence vernal emergence sequences groups resembled those most hibernators, particularly adult females delayed onset until up early January. Thus, contrast other female hibernated for shorter periods...

Abstract Following the expansion of agriculture in Neolithic period, common hamster has spread throughout Europe, and occurred abundantly until recent past. However, last 45 years, populations declined markedly, partly attributable to urbanization major changes agricultural practices. As a result, species been considered endangered at international levels as well most European countries. At same time, established large Central Eastern-European cities such Vienna (Austria), Simferopol...

Hibernating animals can adjust torpor expression according to available energy reserves. Besides the quantity, quality of reserves could play an important role for overwintering strategies. Common hamsters are food-storing hibernators and show high individual variation in hibernation performance, which might be related food hoards hibernacula. In this study, we tested effects stores fat content, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), on patterns under laboratory conditions....

Animals in urban environments face challenging situations and have to cope with human activities. This study investigated the ecology behaviour of a population European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) living city centre Vienna (Austria). We recorded surface activities 35 May 2015. Each focal animal was observed for 15 minutes, total 66 samples were analysable. As prey species an environment teeming activities, we predicted high level vigilance by hamsters. The results show that while animals...

Hibernating species significantly reduce energy expenditure during winter by entering torpor. Nevertheless, the various benefits of hibernation might be counteracted negative effects torpor such as immune depression, oxidative stress, or neuronal impairment. Considering these trade-offs, adequate reserves could allow animals to time spent in extent metabolic depression. Common hamsters use food stores and previously documented high individual variations body temperature patterns could,...

Abstract Hibernation is characterized by reduced metabolism and body temperature during torpor bouts. Energy reserves available winter play an important role for hibernation some species respond to high energy with expression. Common hamsters are food-storing hibernators females hibernate shorter periods than males, probably related larger food stores. In this study, we provided free-ranging common sunflower seeds shortly before recorded using subcutaneously implanted data loggers. We...

Abstract This study applied the analysis of stable isotope ratios as a minimally-invasive tool to estimate diet Cricetus cricetus for first time. We took hair and food samples three different populations C. analyzed carbon nitrogen ratios. The in hamster hairs differed significantly within between according sampling seasons animal ages. Additionally, isotopic signatures potential sites categories. mixing models illustrated that composition varied with season availability. During summer...

Energy expenditure during winter can be reduced by expressing torpor, which is characterized decreased metabolic rate and body temperature. In addition to deep, multiday torpor bouts alternating with short arousal episodes the hibernation period, common hamsters also enter shallow (STBs), lasting for less than 24 h at a minimum temperature between 30-20 °C. Food supplements provided shortly before have been shown shorten in males, but did not affect duration females. presented study, we...

Dietary saturated (SFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids can highly affect reproductive functions by providing additional energy, modulating the biochemical properties of tissues, hormone secretions. In precocial mammals such as domestic guinea pigs offspring is born developed. Gestation might be most critical period in this species dietary may profoundly influence gestational effort. We therefore determined hormonal status at conception, success, body mass changes during gestation...

Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or saturated (SFAs) differently modulates neurophysiological and behavioral functions in response to altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity an individual's development. In this context, social environment, including interactions hierarchies, is closely related hormone concentrations possibly interacts with dietary acid effects. We investigated if supplementation walnut oil (high PUFAs) coconut fat SFAs), compared a...

AbstractHibernators save energy during winter by expressing torpor bouts characterized strongly reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically n-6 PUFAs, are known to positively affect hibernation performance thereby savings predominantly in fat-storing hibernators. Accordingly, hibernators usually retain PUFAs mobilize monounsaturated (MUFAs) or saturated (SFAs) hibernation. In food-storing common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus), however, we...

Abstract The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is a facultative hibernator producing up to three litters per year. Juveniles born late in the season have less time grow and prepare for winter than early-born ones. We investigated free-ranging population an urban environment Vienna, Austria. compared body mass, proportion of fat, as well head, tibia hind foot length between juveniles first second at natal emergence, four weeks post-emergence shortly before onset hibernation. In addition we...

Reproductive functions in female mammals can be significantly affected by the actions of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on steroid hormone secretion rates. Nevertheless, effects plasma free PUFAs oestrous cycle have seldom been considered. Therefore, present study, diet domestic guinea pigs was supplemented with high concentrations different and altered PUFA patterns concentrations, measured non-invasively, body mass during oestrus dioestrus were analysed. The characterised...

Abstract Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) are hibernators that rely both on body fat reserves and food stores for the winter period. They face an ongoing population decline in most parts of their distribution recently were classified as critically endangered. Knowledge individual proportions this species is particular interest conservation, because it could contribute to better understand high plasticity overwintering strategies, overwinter mortality rates, variations reproductive output,...