Extreme physiological plasticity in a hibernating basoendothermic mammal, Tenrec ecaudatus

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Michael D TreatFrank van Breukelen

Abstract

Physiological plasticity allows organisms to respond to diverse conditions. However, can being too plastic actually be detrimental? Malagasy common tenrecs, Tenrec ecaudatus, have many plesiomorphic traits and may represent a basal placental mammal. We established a laboratory population of T. ecaudatus and found extreme plasticity in thermoregulation and metabolism, a novel hibernation form, variable annual timing, and remarkable growth and reproductive biology. For instance, tenrec body temperature (Tb) may approximate ambient temperature to as low as 12°C even when tenrecs are fully active. Conversely, tenrecs can hibernate with Tb of 28°C. During the active season, oxygen consumption may vary 25-fold with little or no change in Tb During the austral winter, tenrecs are consistently torpid but the depth of torpor may vary. A righting assay revealed that Tb contributes to but does not dictate activity status. Homeostatic processes are not always linked, e.g. a hibernating tenrec experienced a ∼34% decrease in heart rate while maintaining constant body temperature and oxygen consumption rates. Tenrec growth rates vary but young may grow ∼40-fold in the 5 weeks until weaning and may possess indeterminate growth as adults. Despi...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 7, 2019·Physiology·Claire A Nordeen, Sandra L Martin
Jan 27, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Matthew T Andrews
Jun 18, 2020·Frontiers in Physiology·Kathrin H DausmannJulia Nowack
Jan 13, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Stephanie Reher, Kathrin H Dausmann
Feb 5, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Danielle L Levesque, Katie E Marshall
Mar 13, 2021·Scientific Reports·Marina B BlancoErin E Ehmke
Aug 26, 2021·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Jane I KhudyakovFrank van Breukelen

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