Thermoregulatory variation among populations of bats along a latitudinal gradient

摘要: Most studies of hibernation physiology sample individuals from populations within a single geographic area, yet some species have large ranges meaning likely experience area-specific levels energetic challenges. As well, few assessed within-season variation. Since physiological adjustments often are influenced by environmental factors, and the types environments vary with geography, we expected variance in patterns among geographically separated populations. Our specific goal was to measure intraspecific variation torpid metabolic rate (TMR) body temperature (T (b)) as function ambient (a)) for non-migratory migratory determine whether there is continuum responses based on latitude. We chose big brown (Eptesicus fuscus) eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) model sampled throughout each species' winter range. In both species, southern maintained higher TMR at cooler T (a)s lower warmer than those northern Big regulated (b) during torpor no significant difference between bats. Although were similar across gradient effect more dramatic data demonstrate thermoregulatory response, ranging classic pattern akin daily research highlights potential usefulness organisms address questions about within-species wild