Body Temperature and Activity Adaptation of Short Photoperiod-Exposed Djungarian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus): Timing, Traits, and Torpor.

ABSTRACT: To survive the Siberian winter, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) adjust their behavior, morphology, and physiology to maintain energy balance. The reduction of body mass and the improvement of fur insulation are followed by the expression of spontaneous daily torpor, a state of reduced metabolism during the resting phase to save additional energy. Since these complex changes require time, the upcoming winter is anticipated via decreasing photoperiod. Yet, the extent of adaptation and torpor use is highly individual. In this study, adaptation was triggered by an artificially changed light regime under laboratory conditions with 20°C ambient temperature and food and water ad libitum. Two approaches analyzed data on weekly measured body mass and fur index as well a

SUBMITTER: Haugg E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8294097 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature