Staying cold through dinner: cold-climate bats rewarm with conspecifics but not sunset during hibernation

摘要: For temperate endotherms (i.e., mammals and birds) energy costs are highest during winter but food availability is lowest many depend on hibernation as a result. Hibernation made up of energy-saving torpor bouts [periods controlled reduction in body temperature (T b)], which interrupted by brief periodic arousals to normothermic T b. What triggers these free-ranging hibernators not well understood. Some bats with intermittent access flying insects synchronize sunset, suggests that, some species, feeding opportunities influence arousal timing. We tested whether hibernating from cold climate without also maintain circadian rhythm for or cues conspecifics the same cluster more important. used telemetry monitor skin sk) little brown (Myotis lucifugus) central Manitoba, Canada, where temperatures 22 October March were too insects. found no evidence synchronized photoperiod they did arouse synchronously other cluster. Thus, northern part their range almost never available winter, exhibit pattern arousals. Warming others could reduce energetic individuals reflect disturbance torpid cluster-mates.