Stranded on an island: consequences of forest fragmentation for body size variations in an arboreal mammal, the edible dormouse (<i>Glis glis</i>)

Fietz, Joanna; Weis-Dootz, Tanja

doi:10.1007/s10144-012-0310-0

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…In accordance with patterns described by the island rule for small mammals, edible dormice inhabiting forest fragments were shown to be significantly larger and heavier than individuals in the continuous forest and occurred also in higher numbers [19]. The same pattern could also be found in different species of tree squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis , S. niger and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) [24].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation for a Highly Specialized Arboreal Mammal - the Edible Dormouse

et al. 2014

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Habitat loss and fragmentation represent the most serious extinction threats for many species and have been demonstrated to be especially detrimental for mammals. Particularly, highly specialized species with low dispersal abilities will encounter a high risk of extinction in fragmented landscapes. Here we studied the edible dormouse (Glis glis), a small arboreal mammal that is distributed throughout Central Europe, where forests are mostly fragmented at different spatial scales. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of habitat fragmentation on genetic population structures using the example of edible dormouse populations inhabiting forest fragments in south western Germany. We genotyped 380 adult individuals captured between 2001 and 2009 in four different forest fragments and one large continuous forest using 14 species-specific microsatellites. We hypothesised, that populations in small forest patches have a lower genetic diversity and are more isolated compared to populations living in continuous forests. In accordance with our expectations we found that dormice inhabiting forest fragments were isolated from each other. Furthermore, their genetic population structure was more unstable over the study period than in the large continuous forest. Even though we could not detect lower genetic variability within individuals inhabiting forest fragments, strong genetic isolation and an overall high risk to mate with close relatives might be precursors to a reduced genetic variability and the onset of inbreeding depression. Results of this study highlight that connectivity among habitat fragments can already be strongly hampered before genetic erosion within small and isolated populations becomes evident.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation for a Highly Specialized Arboreal Mammal - the Edible Dormouse

et al. 2014

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“…Indeed, Belding ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beldingi [= Urocitellus beldingi ]) do not achieve their maximum body size until the end of the second season of their life (Morton and Tung 1971). Fietz and Weis-Dootz (2012) also reported that growth occurred until at least the age of 4 years in edible dormice. In this study, 2- and 4-year-old individuals showed no difference in their body size, suggesting that garden dormice reach their adult size within the first 2 years, similar to Belding ground squirrels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Differences in growth rates and pre-hibernation body mass gain between early and late-born juvenile garden dormice

et al. 2016

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Juvenile hibernators have to allocate energy to both growth and fattening, to survive winter, and to avoid possible disadvantages during their first reproductive season. Being born late in the active season may have important effects on growth and fattening. This study aimed at determining potential differences in rates and maximal level of growth, and in pre-hibernation body fat mass between early and late-born juvenile garden dormice (Eliomys quercinus), and kept in outdoor enclosures with ad libitum food and water. We first assessed mean pup mass in early and late-born litters (n = 31) from birth to their early weaning phase, at which time body composition was determined. Then, growth and body mass of early and late-born individuals (six males and six females, for each group) were measured weekly until hibernation onset (n = 24). We also assessed fat content in a group of juveniles during pre-hibernation fattening (n = 16) and after their first winter hibernation (n = 18). During the pre-weaning phase, young from early and late litters mainly grew structurally and gained mass at similar rates. After weaning, late-born juveniles grew and gained mass twice as fast as early born individuals. Body mass was positively associated with fat content during pre-hibernation fattening. Late-born females reached similar structural sizes, but had lower pre-hibernation fat reserves than early born females. Conversely, late-born males showed lower maximal size and pre-hibernation body fat content, compared with early born males. Thus, individuals born late in the season cannot fully compensate the lack of available time before the winter onset.

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“…Notably, the slope of this relation was close to 1 (0·98) indicating that variation in body mass directly reflects total body fat content. Therefore, although body mass is influenced by differences in structural size (Fietz & Weis‐Dootz ) or the size of other tissues (Bieber et al . ), it provides an excellent proxy of energy reserves in this species.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notably, the slope of this relation was close to 1 (0Á98) indicating that variation in body mass directly reflects total body fat content. Therefore, although body mass is influenced by differences in structural size (Fietz & Weis-Dootz 2012) or the size of other tissues , it provides an excellent proxy of energy reserves in this species. For a subset of analyses that involved body mass loss (autumn/spring mass) during the hibernation season, we included data only for individuals whose mass was measured within 1 week of onset and termination of hibernation (n = 29).…”

Section: A N I M a L S A N D C L I M A T Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Body mass dependent use of hibernation: why not prolong the active season, if they can?

et al. 2013

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Summary1. Hibernation is the most effective means for energy conservation during winter in mammals. The drawbacks of deep and prolonged torpor include reduced immunocompetence, and consequently, hibernators should be selected to minimize torpor expression when climatic conditions or energy availability (e.g. food or fat stores) permit. Therefore, it seems surprising that some hibernators employ extraordinary long hibernation seasons, lasting well beyond periods with unfavourable conditions. 2. Because of their extended use of torpor, edible dormice (Glis glis) provide an ideal model for scrutinizing interactions between energy reserves (i.e. body fat stores) and thermoregulatory patterns. We used a multimodel inference approach to analyse body temperature data (i.e. use of torpor) from 42 entire hibernation seasons over 4 years in females in relation to body mass. 3. Body mass prior to hibernation did not affect the duration of the hibernation season, but animals hibernated for c. 8 months, that is, 2 months longer than required by environmental conditions. Fatter individuals aroused significantly more often, had a higher mean minimum body temperature during torpor and remained euthermic for longer periods than leaner animals. 4. Surplus energy was therefore not used to shorten the hibernation season, but to rewarm more frequently, and to allow shallower torpor bouts. These adjustments apparently serve to avoid negative effects of torpor and, perhaps equally importantly, to minimize the time active above-ground. We argue that maintaining a short active season, despite surplus energy reserves, may be explained by known beneficial effects of hibernation on survival rates (via predator avoidance). 5. Our data provide quantitative evidence that hibernation is a flexible tool within life-history strategies. We conclude that, apart from energetic necessities due to harsh environmental conditions, predator avoidance may be an important factor influencing patterns of hibernation and torpor in mammals. Thus, our study indicates that climatic conditions alone are not a good predictor of hibernation patterns or survival in hibernating species during global climate change.

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Stranded on an island: consequences of forest fragmentation for body size variations in an arboreal mammal, the edible dormouse (Glis glis)

Cited by 20 publications

References 45 publications

Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation for a Highly Specialized Arboreal Mammal - the Edible Dormouse

Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation for a Highly Specialized Arboreal Mammal - the Edible Dormouse

Differences in growth rates and pre-hibernation body mass gain between early and late-born juvenile garden dormice

Body mass dependent use of hibernation: why not prolong the active season, if they can?

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