Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/19875
Title: Torpor and basking after a severe wildfire: mammalian survival strategies in a scorched landscape
Contributor(s): Matthews, Jaya K (author); Stawski, Clare  (author); Körtner, Gerhard  (author)orcid ; Parker, Cassandra A (author); Geiser, Fritz  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1007/s00360-016-1039-4
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/19875
Abstract: Wildfires can completely obliterate above-ground vegetation, yet some small terrestrial mammals survive during and after fires. As knowledge about the physiological and behavioural adaptations that are crucial for post-wildfire survival is scant, we investigated the thermal biology of a small insectivorous marsupial ('Antechinus flavipes') after a severe forest fire. Some populations of antechinus survived the fire in situ probably by hiding deep in rocky crevices, the only fire-proof sites near where they were trapped. We hypothesised that survival in the post-fire landscape was achieved by decreasing daytime activity and using torpor frequently to save energy. Indeed, daytime activity was less common and torpor expression was substantially higher (≥2-fold) at the post-fire site than observed in an unburnt control site and also in comparison to a laboratory study, both when food was provided ad libitum and withheld. Basking in the post-fire site was also recorded, which was likely used to further reduce energy expenditure. Our data suggest that torpor and basking are used by this terrestrial mammal to reduce energy and foraging requirements, which is important in a landscape where food and shelter are limited and predation pressure typically is increased.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Grant Details: ARC/DP130101506
Source of Publication: Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 187(2), p. 385-393
Publisher: Springer
Place of Publication: Germany
ISSN: 1432-136X
0174-1578
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060806 Animal Physiological Ecology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310907 Animal physiological ecology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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