Ecological influences on the use of torpor by Caprimulgid birds and Vespertilionid bats

生态学对 Caprimulgid 鸟类和 Vespertilionid 蝙蝠利用麻木状态的影响

• 批准号: 105563-2012
• 负责人: Brigham, Mark
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: University of Regina
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=569081
• 关键词: Ecological; influences; use; torpor; Caprimulgid

Energy is the currency by which the costs and benefits of many biological functions are measured and likely best explains behaviour by animals in general and endotherms in particular. My research program is focused on determining the ecological context for how, when and why endotherms use torpor to save energy. Torpor stems from reduced metabolism and thus reduced body temperature (Tb) leading to energetic savings. Its importance is underscored by the rapidly increasing number of species recorded to use it and the idea that it makes endotherms less susceptible to extinction. We study the use of daily torpor by both insectivorous bats and nocturnal birds (nightjars) whose responses converge ecologically and physiologically. In the short-term we will identify broad patterns in torpor use with my long-term goal being to address why individuals employ it when they do, the cues used to initiate the physiological response and finally the reasons for the apparent flexibility of its use. Behavioural and ecological factors that likely influence torpor use include: body condition, social interactions, foraging success and roost structure. The relative importance of these factors is poorly understood and our research will assess the nature of interactions between them. We will measure torpor use by bats and birds in natural situations as part of both a long-term study of big brown bats in Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan and short-term studies of a variety of species including big brown, slit-faced and Egyptian fruit eating bats and Common Poorwills, Pauraques and Freckled Nightjars. In most projects, temperature sensitive radio-transmitters or data loggers will be used to collect data on how free living animals use torpor. Where possible, we will experimentally manipulate food availability and or the energetic costs incurred by study animals to assess which factors are most important for stimulating torpor use.

能量是衡量许多生物功能的成本和效益的货币，可能最能解释一般动物和恒温动物的行为。 我的研究项目集中在确定生态背景下如何，何时以及为什么吸热利用休眠来节省能源。 麻木源于新陈代谢减少，从而降低体温（Tb），导致能量节省。 它的重要性是强调了迅速增加的物种记录使用它，并认为它使恒温动物不易灭绝的想法。 我们研究了食虫蝙蝠和夜行性鸟类（夜鹰）的反应收敛生态和生理的日常麻木的使用。 在短期内，我们将确定迟钝使用的广泛模式，我的长期目标是解决为什么人们在使用时使用它，用于启动生理反应的线索，以及最后使用它的明显灵活性的原因。 行为和生态因素，可能影响迟钝的使用包括：身体状况，社会互动，觅食成功和栖息地结构。 这些因素的相对重要性知之甚少，我们的研究将评估它们之间相互作用的性质。 我们将测量蝙蝠和鸟类在自然情况下的麻痹使用，作为大棕蝙蝠在柏树山，萨斯喀彻温省的长期研究和各种物种，包括大棕，裂面和埃及水果吃蝙蝠和常见的Poorwills，Pauraques和雀斑夜鹰短期研究的一部分。在大多数项目中，将使用温度敏感的无线电发射器或数据记录器来收集关于自由生活的动物如何使用休眠的数据。在可能的情况下，我们将实验性地操纵食物供应和/或研究动物产生的能量成本，以评估哪些因素对刺激麻痹使用最重要。