1
|
Granweiler J, Cristóbal-Azkarate J, Morton N, Palme R, Shultz S. The paradox of spring: Thyroid and glucocorticoid responses to cold temperatures and food availability in free living Carneddau ponies. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105526. [PMID: 38503098 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
In seasonal environments, maintaining a constant body temperature poses challenges for endotherms. Cold winters at high latitudes, with limited food availability, create opposing demands on metabolism: upregulation preserves body temperature but depletes energy reserves. Examining endocrine profiles, such as thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) and glucocorticoids (GCs), proxies for changes in metabolic rate and acute stressors, offer insights into physiological trade-offs. We evaluated how environmental conditions and gestation impact on faecal hormone metabolites (fT3Ms and fGCMs) from late winter to spring in a free-living population of Carneddau ponies. Faecal T3Ms were highest in late February and March, when temperatures were lowest. Then, fT3Ms concentrations decreased throughout April and were at the lowest in May before increasing towards the end of the study. The decline in fT3M levels in April and May was associated with warmer weather but poor food availability, diet diversity and diet composition. On the other hand, fGCM levels did not display a clear temporal pattern but were associated with reproductive status, where pregnant and lactating females had higher fGCM levels as compared to adult males and non-reproductive females. The temporal profile of fT3Ms levels highlights metabolic trade-offs in a changing environment. In contrast, the ephemeral but synchronous increase in fGCM concentrations across the population suggest a shared experience of acute stressors (i.e., weather, disturbance or social). This multi-biomarker approach can evaluate the role of acute stressors versus energy budgets in the context of interventions, reproduction, seasonality and environmental change, or across multiple scales from individuals to populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Granweiler
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jurgi Cristóbal-Azkarate
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, Donostia, Spain
| | - Nathan Morton
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Shultz
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gasch K, Habe M, Krauss JS, Painer-Gigler J, Stalder G, Arnold W. The Influence of Photoperiod, Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, and Food Availability on Seasonal Acclimatization in Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101600. [PMID: 37238030 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypometabolism and hypothermia are common reactions of birds and mammals to cope with harsh winter conditions. In small mammals, the occurrence of hibernation and daily torpor is entrained by photoperiod, and the magnitude of hypometabolism and decrease of body temperature (Tb) is influenced by the dietary supply of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. We investigated whether similar effects exist in a non-hibernating large mammal, the red deer (Cervus elaphus). We fed adult females with pellets enriched with either linoleic acid (LA) or α-linolenic acid (ALA) during alternating periods of ad libitum and restricted feeding in a cross-over experimental design. Further, we scrutinized the role of photoperiod for physiological and behavioral seasonal changes by manipulating the amount of circulating melatonin. The deer were equipped with data loggers recording heart rate, core and peripheral Tb, and locomotor activity. Further, we regularly weighed the animals and measured their daily intake of food pellets. All physiological and behavioral parameters measured varied seasonally, with amplitudes exacerbated by restricted feeding, but with only few and inconsistent effects of supplementation with LA or ALA. Administering melatonin around the summer solstice caused a change into the winter phenotype weeks ahead of time in all traits measured. We conclude that red deer reduce energy expenditure for thermoregulation upon short daylength, a reaction amplified by food restriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Gasch
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Habe
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julie Sophie Krauss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johanna Painer-Gigler
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabrielle Stalder
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Arnold
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schmidt NM, Michelsen A, Hansen LH, Aggerbeck MR, Stelvig M, Kutz S, Mosbacher JB. Sequential analysis of δ 15 N in guard hair suggests late gestation is the most critical period for muskox calf recruitment. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9470. [PMID: 36601893 PMCID: PMC10078194 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Analysis of stable isotopes in tissue and excreta may provide information about animal diets and their nutritional state. As body condition may have a major influence on reproduction, linking stable isotope values to animal demographic rates may help unravel the drivers behind animal population dynamics. METHODS We performed sequential analysis of δ15 N values in guard hair from 21 muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from Zackenberg in high arctic Greenland. We were able to reconstruct the dietary history for the population over a 5-year period with contrasting environmental conditions. We examined the linkage between guard hair δ15 N values in 12 three-month periods and muskox calf recruitment to detect critical periods for muskox reproduction. Finally, we conducted similar analyses of the correlation between environmental conditions (snow depth and air temperature) and calf recruitment. RESULTS δ15 N values exhibited a clear seasonal pattern with high levels in summer and low levels in winter. However, large inter-annual variation was found in winter values, suggesting varying levels of catabolism depending on snow conditions. In particular δ15 N values during January-March were linked to muskox recruitment rates, with higher values coinciding with lower calf recruitment. δ15 N values were a better predictor of muskox recruitment rates than environmental conditions. CONCLUSIONS Although environmental conditions may ultimately determine the dietary δ15 N signal in muskox guard hairs, muskox calf recruitment was more strongly correlated with δ15 N values than ambient snow and temperature. The period January-March, corresponding to late gestation, appears particularly critical for muskox reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience and Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
| | - Anders Michelsen
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagen ØDenmark
- Center for PermafrostUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagen KDenmark
| | - Lars Holst Hansen
- Department of Ecoscience and Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
| | | | | | - Susan Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryABCanada
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Campera M, Chimienti M, Nekaris KAI. Applications of Accelerometers and Other Bio-Logging Devices in Captive and Wild Animals. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020222. [PMID: 36670762 PMCID: PMC9855032 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bio-logging devices have been widely used in ecology across a range of species to acquire information on the secret lives of animals in the wild, which would otherwise be challenging to obtain via direct observations [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Campera
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Marianna Chimienti
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - K. A. I. Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lemière L, Thiel A, Fuchs B, Gilot-Fromont E, Hertel AG, Friebe A, Kindberg J, Støen OG, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors drive the timing of gestation and reproductive success of Scandinavian brown bears. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1045331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionClimate change is altering the reproductive phenology of many organisms, but the factors that influence the timing of gestation in ursids are still poorly understood. Higher temperatures in spring are already causing an earlier den exit in some brown bear populations, and a temporal mismatch between hibernation and reproduction could have dramatic consequences for reproductive success. Therefore, understanding the factors that control the timing of these events is important to forecast the consequences of climate change on population growth rates.MethodsIn this study, we used abdominal temperature loggers and GPS collars with acceleration sensors on 23 free-ranging pregnant female brown bears living in two areas in Sweden (61°N and 67°N latitude) to pinpoint hibernation and reproductive events. We investigated how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the termination of embryonic diapause and parturition, as well as their impact on reproductive success.ResultsThe termination of embryonic diapause was later in the northern area compared to the southern area and occurred earlier when ambient temperature at den entry was higher in both areas. In the southern area, young adults (i.e., females = 7 years old) had a delayed parturition when bilberry abundance was low the year of mating. Additionally, young adults had a lower reproductive success than adults and their probability to reproduce successfully was dependent on bilberry abundance, whereas adult females were not affected by this parameter.DiscussionAs den exit occurs later in the northern study area, we suggest that a later parturition might ensure that females lactate their cubs in the den for a reasonable amount of time while fasting. Similarly, a later parturition combined with an earlier emergence could allow young adults to spend less time in the den lactating if they could not reach an optimal body condition prior to hibernation. But as a result, their cubs are younger and more vulnerable when they leave the den leading to lower survival rates. Our results suggest that a decreased berry abundance in the fall could impact the reproductive and hibernation phenology of Scandinavian brown bear females and lead to a lower cub survival with potential consequences on the population dynamics.
Collapse
|
6
|
Græsli AR, Thiel A, Fuchs B, Stenbacka F, Neumann W, Malmsten J, Singh NJ, Ericsson G, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Body temperature patterns during pregnancy and parturition in moose. J Therm Biol 2022; 109:103334. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
7
|
Turnley MT, Larsen RT, Hersey KR, Sallee DW, Hinton MS, McMillan BR. Optimizing methods for capturing neonate elk when using vaginal implant transmitters. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. Turnley
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Kent R. Hersey
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 1594 W North Temple Street, Suite 2110 Salt Lake City UT 84114 USA
| | - Daniel W Sallee
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Morgan S. Hinton
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Brock R. McMillan
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Trondrud LM, Pigeon G, Albon S, Arnold W, Evans AL, Irvine RJ, Król E, Ropstad E, Stien A, Veiberg V, Speakman JR, Loe LE. Determinants of heart rate in Svalbard reindeer reveal mechanisms of seasonal energy management. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200215. [PMID: 34176322 PMCID: PMC8237166 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Seasonal energetic challenges may constrain an animal's ability to respond to changing individual and environmental conditions. Here, we investigated variation in heart rate, a well-established proxy for metabolic rate, in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), a species with strong seasonal changes in foraging and metabolic activity. In 19 adult females, we recorded heart rate, subcutaneous temperature and activity using biologgers. Mean heart rate more than doubled from winter to summer. Typical drivers of energy expenditure, such as reproduction and activity, explained a relatively limited amount of variation (2-6% in winter and 16-24% in summer) compared to seasonality, which explained 75% of annual variation in heart rate. The relationship between heart rate and subcutaneous temperature depended on individual state via body mass, age and reproductive status, and the results suggested that peripheral heterothermy is an important pathway of energy management in both winter and summer. While the seasonal plasticity in energetics makes Svalbard reindeer well-adapted to their highly seasonal environment, intraseasonal constraints on modulation of their heart rate may limit their ability to respond to severe environmental change. This study emphasizes the importance of encompassing individual state and seasonal context when studying energetics in free-living animals. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part II)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Monica Trondrud
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Gabriel Pigeon
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1 K 2R1
| | - Steve Albon
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Walter Arnold
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstr. 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alina L. Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418 Elverum, Norway
| | - R. Justin Irvine
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
- Frankfurt Zoological Society, PO Box 100003, South Africa Street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Elżbieta Król
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 8146, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Audun Stien
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, PO Box 6050 Langnes, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vebjørn Veiberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - John R. Speakman
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
- CAS Center of Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming 650223, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Leif Egil Loe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chimienti M, Beest FM, Beumer LT, Desforges J, Hansen LH, Stelvig M, Schmidt NM. Quantifying behavior and life‐history events of an Arctic ungulate from year‐long continuous accelerometer data. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Chimienti
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
| | - Floris M. Beest
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 116 Aarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Larissa T. Beumer
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 116 Aarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Jean‐Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 116 Aarhus C8000Denmark
- Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Ste Anne de Bellevue QuebecH9X 3V9Canada
| | - Lars H. Hansen
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 116 Aarhus C8000Denmark
| | - Mikkel Stelvig
- Centre for Zoo and Wild Animal Health Copenhagen Zoo Frederiksberg2000Denmark
| | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Frederiksborgvej 399 Roskilde4000Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 116 Aarhus C8000Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Desforges JP, Marques GM, Beumer LT, Chimienti M, Hansen LH, Pedersen SH, Schmidt NM, van Beest FM. Environment and physiology shape Arctic ungulate population dynamics. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:1755-1771. [PMID: 33319455 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Species conservation in a rapidly changing world requires an improved understanding of how individuals and populations respond to changes in their environment across temporal scales. Increased warming in the Arctic puts this region at particular risk for rapid environmental change, with potentially devastating impacts on resident populations. Here, we make use of a parameterized full life cycle, individual-based energy budget model for wild muskoxen, coupling year-round environmental data with detailed ontogenic metabolic physiology. We show how winter food accessibility, summer food availability, and density dependence drive seasonal dynamics of energy storage and thus life history and population dynamics. Winter forage accessibility defined by snow depth, more than summer forage availability, was the primary determinant of muskox population dynamics through impacts on calf recruitment and longer term carryover effects of maternal investment. Simulations of various seasonal snow depth and plant biomass and quality profiles revealed that timing of and improved/limited winter forage accessibility had marked influence on calf recruitment (±10-80%). Impacts on recruitment were the cumulative result of condition-driven reproductive performance at multiple time points across the reproductive period (ovulation to calf weaning) as a trade-off between survival and reproduction. Seasonal and generational condition effects of snow-rich winters interacted with age structure and density to cause pronounced long-term consequences on population growth and structure, with predicted population recovery times from even moderate disturbances of 10 years or more. Our results show how alteration in winter forage accessibility, mediated by snow depth, impacts the dynamics of northern herbivore populations. Further, we present here a mechanistic and state-based model framework to assess future scenarios of environmental change, such as increased or decreased snowfall or plant biomass and quality to impact winter and summer forage availability across the Arctic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Bioscience Department, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Gonçalo M Marques
- Marine, Environment & Technology Center (MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Larissa T Beumer
- Bioscience Department, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars H Hansen
- Bioscience Department, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stine Højlund Pedersen
- Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Niels M Schmidt
- Bioscience Department, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Floris M van Beest
- Bioscience Department, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Di Francesco J, Mastromonaco GF, Rowell JE, Blake J, Checkley SL, Kutz S. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites reflect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249281. [PMID: 33852609 PMCID: PMC8046187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), a taxonomically unique Arctic species, are increasingly exposed to climate and other anthropogenic changes. It is critical to develop and validate reliable tools to monitor their physiological stress response in order to assess the impacts of these changes. Here, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels in response to the administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the winter (1 IU/kg) and summer (2 IU/kg) using two enzyme immunoassays, one targeting primarily cortisol and the other targeting primarily corticosterone. Fecal cortisol levels varied substantially within and among individuals, and none of the animals in either challenge showed an increase in fecal cortisol following the injection of ACTH. By contrast, two of six (winter) and two of five (summer) muskoxen showed a clear response in fecal corticosterone levels (i.e., maximal percentage increase as compared to time 0 levels > 100%). Increases in fecal corticosterone post-ACTH injection occurred earlier and were of shorter duration in the summer than in the winter and fecal corticosterone levels were, in general, lower during the summer. These seasonal differences in FGM responses may be related to the use of different individuals (i.e., influence of sex, age, social status, etc.) and to seasonal variations in the metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids, intestinal transit time, voluntary food intake, and fecal output and moisture content. Results from this study support using FGMs as a biomarker of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in muskoxen, advance our understanding of the physiological adaptations of mammals living in highly seasonal and extreme environments such as the Arctic, and emphasize the importance of considering seasonality in other species when interpreting FGM levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Di Francesco
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- French Armed Forces Center for Epidemiology and Public Health (CESPA), Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Janice E. Rowell
- Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States of America
| | - John Blake
- Animal Resources Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States of America
| | - Sylvia L. Checkley
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Park HB, Hong S. Habitat Characteristics Coincidence of Dead and Living Long-Tailed Gorals ( Naemorhedus caudatus) According to Extreme Snowfall. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11040997. [PMID: 33918174 PMCID: PMC8067025 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus Milne-Edwards) is a critically endangered herbivore in South Korea. From March to June in 2010, 24 animals were found to have died due to heavy snowfall in the Wangpi Stream basin. In this study, we hypothesized that gorals that died due to snowfall are low-status individuals that lived in the sub-optimal or non-suitable areas. The results suggested that the sites where dead gorals were found were highly related to typical goral habitats. The optimal goral habitats could become uninhabitable following heavy snowfall. Most of the dead animals were pregnant females or were young, implying that they could not escape their primary habitats due to lower mobility. Thus, when there is a climate catastrophe, the optimal goral habitats should be considered for rescue and artificial feeding. Abstract The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) is a critically endangered herbivore in South Korea. Despite government efforts to recover the population through reintroduction programs, the animal remains vulnerable to heavy snowfall. From March to June 2010, 24 animals were found dead due to heavy snowfall in the Wangpi Stream basin. In this study, we hypothesized that gorals that died due to snowfall are low-status individuals that lived in the sub-optimal or non-suitable areas. Using the occurrence data from extensive field surveys from 2008 to 2010 in the Wangpi Stream and the carcass location data, we (1) defined the goral habitat characteristics and (2) compared the habitat characteristics between dead and living gorals using ensemble species distribution modeling. The results suggested that the sites where dead gorals were found were highly related to typical goral habitats. These results implied that the optimal goral habitats could become uninhabitable following heavy snowfall. Most of the dead animals were pregnant females or were young, implying that they could not escape their primary habitats due to lower mobility. Thus, when there is a climate catastrophe, the optimal goral habitats should be considered for rescue and artificial feeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Bok Park
- Restoration Research Team (Mammals), Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology, Yeongyang 36531, Korea;
| | - Sungwon Hong
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea
- Department of Horse, Companion, and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-54-530-1221; Fax: +82-54-530-1959
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Desforges J, van Beest FM, Marques GM, Pedersen SH, Beumer LT, Chimienti M, Schmidt NM. Quantifying energetic and fitness consequences of seasonal heterothermy in an Arctic ungulate. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:338-351. [PMID: 33437433 PMCID: PMC7790657 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals have adapted behavioral and physiological strategies to conserve energy during periods of adverse conditions. Heterothermy is one such adaptation used by endotherms. While heterothermy-fluctuations in body temperature and metabolic rate-has been shown in large vertebrates, little is known of the costs and benefits of this strategy, both in terms of energy and in terms of fitness. Hence, our objective was to model the energetics of seasonal heterothermy in the largest Arctic ungulate, the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), using an individual-based energy budget model of metabolic physiology. We found that the empirically based drop in body temperature (winter max ~-0.8°C) overwinter in adult females resulted in substantial fitness benefits in terms of reduced daily energy expenditure and body mass loss. Body mass and energy reserves were 8.98% and 14.46% greater in modeled heterotherms compared to normotherms by end of winter. Based on environmental simulations, we show that seasonal heterothermy can, to some extent, buffer the negative consequences of poor prewinter body condition or reduced winter food accessibility, leading to greater winter survival (+20%-30%) and spring energy reserves (+10%-30%), and thus increased probability of future reproductive success. These results indicate substantial adaptive short-term benefits of seasonal heterothermy at the individual level, with potential implications for long-term population dynamics in highly seasonal environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean‐Pierre Desforges
- Bioscience DepartmentAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
- Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of Natural Resource SciencesMcGill UniversitySte‐Anne‐de‐BellevueQCCanada
| | - Floris M. van Beest
- Bioscience DepartmentAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
- Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gonçalo M. Marques
- Marine, Environment & Technology Center (MARETEC)Instituto Superior TécnicoUniversidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Stine H. Pedersen
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alaska AnchorageAnchorageAKUSA
- Cooperative Institute for Research in the AtmosphereColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | | | | | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Bioscience DepartmentAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
- Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Energetics as common currency for integrating high resolution activity patterns into dynamic energy budget-individual based models. Ecol Modell 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
15
|
Græsli AR, Thiel A, Fuchs B, Singh NJ, Stenbacka F, Ericsson G, Neumann W, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Seasonal Hypometabolism in Female Moose. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|