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Thermoregulatory variation among populations of bats along a latitudinal gradient

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Abstract

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

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Acknowledgments

Financial support was provided by the University of Regina Faculty of Graduate Studies and NSERC (20021-2555-300). We thank J. Boyles, J. Gruver, B. Scullon, T. Tomasi, S. Gardner, S. Samoray, J. Martin (and family), S. Allydog, T. Maddox, D. Aubrey, S. Lund, P. Neary, R. Treble, H. Broders and H. Weger for their comments on earlier drafts, help with analysis and assistance in the field and/or lab. Indiana State University, Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station, and the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center (and staff) provided housing and/or lab space during field work. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers whose comments helped to strengthen our manuscript.

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  1. Biology Department, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Miranda B. Dunbar & R. Mark Brigham

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  1. Miranda B. Dunbar
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  2. R. Mark Brigham
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Correspondence to Miranda B. Dunbar.

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Communicated by I. D. Hume.

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Dunbar, M.B., Brigham, R.M. Thermoregulatory variation among populations of bats along a latitudinal gradient. J Comp Physiol B 180, 885–893 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-010-0457-y

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