Do season and distribution affect thermal energetics of a hibernating bat endemic to the tropics and subtropics?

• DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00792.2010
• Publication Date: 2011-06-03T09:51:31Z
• Authors: Clare Stawski; Fritz Geiser
• Keywords: Energetics

Although many tropical and subtropical areas experience pronounced seasonal changes in weather food availability, few studies have examined none compared the thermal physiology energetics of a hibernating mammal that is restricted to these regions. We quantified northern long-eared bats ( Nyctophilus bifax; body mass ∼10 g) during summer, winter, spring from habitat, also winter determine how N. bifax cope with climate weather. captured wild measured metabolic rates via open-flow respirometry. The basal rate at an ambient temperature (T ) 32.6 ± 0.7°C was 1.28 0.06 ml O 2 ·g −1 ·h both summer similar other species Nyctophilus. Resting below thermoneutral zone increased similarly decreasing T all seasons All individuals showed high proclivity enter torpor values zone. Metabolic torpid thermoconforming fell temperature, mean minimum were regions as predicted temperate hibernators. At very low , thermoregulated, this threshold differed significantly between = 3.5 0.3°C) 6.7 0.7°C) individuals, but not seasons. Our data show do vary seasonally aspects are bats; however, subtropics allow fall lower than those tropics.