Physiological and behavioural responses of a small heterothermic mammal to fire stimuli

Physiology & Behavior
Clare StawskiFritz Geiser

Abstract

The predicted increase of the frequency and intensity of wildfires as a result of climate change could have a devastating impact on many species and ecosystems. However, the particular physiological and behavioural adaptions of animals to survive fires are poorly understood. We aimed to provide the first quantitative data on physiological and behavioural mechanisms used by a small heterothermic marsupial mammal, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), that may be crucial for survival during and immediately after a fire. Specifically, we aimed to determine (i) whether captive torpid animals are able to respond to fire stimuli and (ii) which energy saving mechanisms are used in response to fires. The initial response of torpid dunnarts to smoke exposure was to arouse immediately and therefore express shorter and shallower torpor bouts. Dunnarts also increased activity after smoke exposure when food was provided, but not when food was withheld. A charcoal/ash substrate, imitating post-fire conditions, resulted in a decrease in torpor use and activity, but only when food was available. Our novel data suggests that heterothermic mammals are able to respond to fire stimuli, such as smoke, to arouse from torpor as an initi...Continue Reading

References

Oct 31, 2006·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Sarah J ConverseSteve Zack
Aug 9, 2007·Die Naturwissenschaften·Lisa WarneckeFritz Geiser
Oct 3, 2007·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Craig K R Willis
Jul 7, 2009·Die Naturwissenschaften·Fritz Geiser, Christopher Turbill
Oct 5, 2013·Science·S L StephensM G Turner
Dec 7, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Jinhong LuoBjörn M Siemers
Aug 16, 2014·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Thomas Ruf, Fritz Geiser
Jun 13, 2015·Biology Letters·Clare StawskiFritz Geiser

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Citations

Apr 15, 2016·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Julia NowackFritz Geiser
Oct 14, 2016·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Jaya K MatthewsFritz Geiser
Jan 20, 2017·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Clare StawskiFritz Geiser
Nov 9, 2017·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Shannon E CurrieFritz Geiser
Dec 20, 2018·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Dale G NimmoAndrew F Bennett
Apr 23, 2017·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Julia NowackFritz Geiser
Jan 18, 2021·Journal of Thermal Biology·Cordelia E ChanSteven J Swoap
Jun 13, 2018·Physiology & Behavior·Kristina A MuiseCraig K R Willis
Aug 18, 2021·Global Change Biology·Dale G NimmoDaniel T Blumstein

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