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Panaino W, Parrini F, Kamerman PR, Hetem RS, Meyer LCR, Smith D, van Dyk G, Fuller A. Temminck pangolins relax the precision of body temperature regulation when resources are scarce in a semi-arid environment. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad068. [PMID: 37649641 PMCID: PMC10465008 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is impacting mammals both directly (for example, through increased heat) and indirectly (for example, through altered food resources). Understanding the physiological and behavioural responses of mammals in already hot and dry environments to fluctuations in the climate and food availability allows for a better understanding of how they will cope with a rapidly changing climate. We measured the body temperature of seven Temminck's pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) in the semi-arid Kalahari for periods of between 4 months and 2 years. Pangolins regulated body temperature within a narrow range (34-36°C) over the 24-h cycle when food (and hence water, obtained from their prey) was abundant. When food resources were scarce, body temperature was regulated less precisely, 24-h minimum body temperatures were lower and the pangolins became more diurnally active, particularly during winter when prey was least available. The shift toward diurnal activity exposed pangolins to higher environmental heat loads, resulting in higher 24-h maximum body temperatures. Biologging of body temperature to detect heterothermy, or estimating food abundance (using pitfall trapping to monitor ant and termite availability), therefore provide tools to assess the welfare of this elusive but threatened mammal. Although the physiological and behavioural responses of pangolins buffered them against food scarcity during our study, whether this flexibility will be sufficient to allow them to cope with further reductions in food availability likely with climate change is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Panaino
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Francesca Parrini
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Peter R Kamerman
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Robyn S Hetem
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Leith C R Meyer
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
| | - Dylan Smith
- Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, van Zylsrus, 8467, Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Gus van Dyk
- Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, van Zylsrus, 8467, Northern Cape, South Africa
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
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Yan H, An F, Liu Q, Chi Q, Wang K, Xu X, Kuang Y, Zhang Z, Hua Y. Energy budgets of captive Chinese pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad049. [PMID: 37457902 PMCID: PMC10348091 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese pangolin is an endangered species, and ex situ conservation and captive rescue are important conservation measures. This requires reliable information on nutritional energy requirements and expenditure characteristics. However, we lack sufficient knowledge of their energy physiology to determine their energy requirements for maintenance and growth. An open-flow respirometry system was used to measure the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and the daily energy expenditure (DEE) of Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla), and the dietary digestive energy was measured. The average RMR in Chinese pangolins was 3.23 ml O2 kg-1 min-1 at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 24.5-30°C, which was only 73.0% of the expected value based on body mass (BM). The average DEE values were 744.9 kJ day-1 in animals with BM >3 kg and 597.3 kJ day-1 in those with BM <3 kg, which were only 52.4% and 60.6% of the predicted values, respectively. The RMR and DEE levels of the Chinese pangolin were lower than those of similar-sized eutherian mammals and close to those of anteaters. These characteristics suggest that the Chinese pangolin has a low demand for energy in its diet. Although metabolic level data alone cannot be used to calculate the energy requirements of each Chinese pangolin, we believe they can provide a tangible reference for the relocation of Chinese pangolins. These results provide a scientific basis for future research on the physiology and ecology of endangered wildlife such as the Chinese pangolin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fuyu An
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Quansheng Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, 105 Xingang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Qingsheng Chi
- College of Biology and Agriculture, Zunyi Normal University, Ping'an Avenue, Xinpu New District, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Xuelin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Yingjie Kuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Zhidong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Yan Hua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection, and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, 233 Guang Shan Yi Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou 510520, China
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Weng X, Zhu Q, Liao C, Jiang G. Cumulative Exposure to Phthalates and Their Alternatives and Associated Female Reproductive Health: Body Burdens, Adverse Outcomes, and Underlying Mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37196176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The global birth rate has recently shown a decreasing trend, and exposure to environmental pollutants has been identified as a potential factor affecting female reproductive health. Phthalates have been widely used as plasticizers in plastic containers, children's toys, and medical devices, and their ubiquitous presence and endocrine-disrupting potential have already raised particular concerns. Phthalate exposure has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, including reproductive diseases. Given that many phthalates are gradually being banned, a growing number of phthalate alternatives are becoming popular, such as di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP), and they are beginning to have a wide range of environmental effects. Studies have shown that many phthalate alternatives may disrupt female reproductive function by altering the estrous cycle, causing ovarian follicular atresia, and prolonging the gestational cycle, which raises growing concerns about their potential health risks. Herein, we summarize the effects of phthalates and their common alternatives in different female models, the exposure levels that influence the reproductive system, and the effects on female reproductive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and offspring development. Additionally, we scrutinize the effects of phthalates and their alternatives on hormone signaling, oxidative stress, and intracellular signaling to explore the underlying mechanisms of action on female reproductive health, because these chemicals may affect reproductive tissues directly or indirectly through endocrine disruption. Given the declining global trends of female reproductive capacity and the potential ability of phthalates and their alternatives to negatively impact female reproductive health, a more comprehensive study is needed to understand their effects on the human body and their underlying mechanisms. These findings may have an important role in improving female reproductive health and in turn decreasing the number of complications during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyu Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunyang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Feasting, not fasting: winter diets of cave hibernating bats in the United States. Front Zool 2021; 18:48. [PMID: 34556122 PMCID: PMC8461964 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperate bat species use extended torpor to conserve energy when ambient temperatures are low and food resources are scarce. Previous research suggests that migratory bat species and species known to roost in thermally unstable locations, such as those that roost in trees, are more likely to remain active during winter. However, hibernating colonies of cave roosting bats in the southeastern United States may also be active and emerge from caves throughout the hibernation period. We report what bats are eating during these bouts of winter activity. We captured 2,044 bats of 10 species that emerged from six hibernacula over the course of 5 winters (October–April 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018). Using Next Generation sequencing of DNA from 284 fecal samples, we determined bats consumed at least 14 Orders of insect prey while active. Dietary composition did not vary among bat species; however, we did record variation in the dominant prey items represented in species’ diets. We recorded Lepidoptera in the diet of 72.2% of individual Corynorhinus rafinesquii and 67.4% of individual Lasiurus borealis. Diptera were recorded in 32.4% of Myotis leibii, 37.4% of M. lucifugus, 35.5% of M. sodalis and 68.8% of Perimyotis subflavus. Our study is the first to use molecular genetic techniques to identify the winter diet of North American hibernating bats. The information from this study is integral to managing the landscape around bat hibernacula for insect prey, particularly in areas where hibernating bat populations are threatened by white-nose syndrome.
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