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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/7519
Title: | Thermal biology, torpor use and activity patterns of a small diurnal marsupial from a tropical desert: sexual differences | Contributor(s): | Koertner, Gerhard (author)![]() ![]() |
Publication Date: | 2010 | DOI: | 10.1007/s00360-010-0459-9 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/7519 | Abstract: | Many small desert dasyurids employ torpor almost daily during winter, because cold nights and low food availability impose high energetic costs. However, in Western Australia the arid zone extends into tropical, coastal regions, where winter temperature conditions are far less severe. We studied the thermal biology and activity patterns of free-ranging kaluta (~27 g), a dasyurid restricted to these tropical spinifex deserts, during the Austral winter (June–July) and in addition quantified activity patterns in captivity. Unlike most dasyurids, wild and captive kalutas were almost exclusively diurnal and retreated into underground burrows during the night. Despite being active during the warmer part of the day, kalutas entered torpor daily. However, torpor patterns differed remarkably between males and females. While females spent most of the night torpid at body temperatures (T b) as low as 21°C, close to soil temperature, males entered multiple short and shallow bouts (T b > 25°C) during the night. Males also maintained higher T bs during the early morning when active, occupied larger home ranges and covered greater distances while foraging than females. Hence, males appear to expend more energy than the similar-sized females both while foraging and during the rest phase. We propose that physiological as well as behavioural preparations for the September mating season that culminate in a complete male die-off might already impose energetic costs on males during winter. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 180(6), p. 869-876 | Publisher: | Springer | Place of Publication: | Germany | ISSN: | 1432-136X 0174-1578 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 060899 Zoology not elsewhere classified 060806 Animal Physiological Ecology |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 969999 Environment not elsewhere classified 960811 Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
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