Global warming, Bergmann's rule and body size in the masked shrew Sorex cinereus Kerr in Alaska

摘要: Summary 1. It was recently shown that body size of Palearctic shrews decreases with increasing latitude, thus contradicting Bergmann’s rule, and this trend explained by food shortage during the cold northern winter. In Alaska, global warming has resulted in milder winters may improve supply. study we tested hypothesis Alaskan increased second half twentieth century, response to warming. 2. Data on weight length body, tail, hind foot ear museum specimens masked shrew Sorex cinereus Kerr from Alaska were used order examine effects longitude, mean ambient temperature January July, year collection, these parameters. 3. We found variation appears contradict prediction decreasing high latitudes areas temperature. 4. Body significantly apparently due higher availability winter as a result improved weather conditions for its prey.