Trade-offs in dormancy phenology in endotherms and ectotherms

Author:

Constant Théo1ORCID,Stephen Dobson F.12,Habold Caroline1,Giroud Sylvain34ORCID

Affiliation:

1. UMR 7178, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CURIEN, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France

2. Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States

3. Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria

4. Energetic Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA

Abstract

Seasonal animal dormancy, hibernation or diapause, is widely interpreted as a physiological response for surviving energetic challenges during the harshest times of the year. However, there are other mutually non-exclusive hypotheses to explain the timing of animal dormancy over time, that is, entry into and emergence from hibernation (i.e. dormancy phenology). Other survival advantages of dormancy that have been proposed are reduced risks of predation and competition (the “life-history” hypothesis), but comparative tests across animal species are not yet available. Under this hypothesis, dormancy phenology is influenced by a trade-off between the reproductive advantages of being active and the survival benefits of being in dormancy. Thus, species may emerge from dormancy when reproductive benefits occur, regardless of the environmental conditions for obtaining energy. Species may go into dormancy when these environmental conditions would allow continued activity, if there were benefits from reduced predation or competition. Within a species, males and females differ in the amount of time and energy they invest in reproduction. Thus, the trade-off between reproduction and survival may be reflected in sex differences in phenology of dormancy. Using a phylogenetic comparative method applied to more than 20 hibernating mammalian species, we predicted that differences between the sexes in hibernation phenology should be associated with differences in reproductive investment, regardless of energetic status. Consistent with the life-history hypothesis, the sex that spent the less time in activities directly associated with reproduction (e.g. testicular maturation, gestation) or indirectly (e.g. recovery from reproductive stress) spent more time in hibernation. This was not expected if hibernation phenology were solely influenced by energetic constraints. Moreover, hibernation sometimes took place at times when the environment would allow the maintenance of a positive energy balance. We also compiled, initial evidence consistent with the life history hypothesis to explain the dormancy phenology of ectotherms (invertebrates and reptiles). Thus, dormancy during non-life-threatening periods that are unfavorable for reproduction may be more widespread than previously appreciated.

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3