Optional strategies for reduced metabolism in gray mouse lemurs |
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Authors: | J Schmid J U Ganzhorn |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany;(2) Animal Ecology and Conservation, Biozentrum Grindel, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany |
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Abstract: | Among the order of primates, torpor has been described only for the small Malagasy cheirogaleids Microcebus and Cheirogaleus. The nocturnal, gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (approx. 60 g), is capable of entering into and spontaneously arousing from apparently daily torpor during the dry season
in response to reduced temperatures and low food and water sources. Mark–recapture studies indicated that this primate species
might also hibernate for several weeks, although physiological evidence is lacking. In the present study, we investigated
patterns of body temperature in two free-ranging M. murinus during the austral winter using temperature-sensitive data loggers implanted subdermally. One lemur hibernated and remained
inactive for 4 weeks. During this time, body temperature followed the ambient temperature passively with a minimum body temperature
of 11.5°C, interrupted by irregular arousals to normothermic levels. Under the same conditions, the second individual displayed
only short bouts of torpor in the early morning hours but maintained stable normothermic body temperatures throughout its
nocturnal activity. Reduction of body temperature was less pronounced in the mouse lemur that utilized short bouts of torpor
with a minimum value of 27°C. Despite the small sample size, our findings provide the first physiological confirmation that
free-ranging individuals of M. murinus from the humid evergreen littoral rain forest have the option to utilize short torpor bouts or hibernation under the same
conditions as two alternative energy-conserving physiological solutions to environmental constraints. |
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Keywords: | Microcebus murinus Daily torpor Hibernation Body temperature |
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