Ecophysiology, ecological consequences and evolution of tropical hibernation in sympatric dwarf lemurs from high-altitude rainforests of Madagascar

在季节性环境中，麻木和休眠通常是有利的策略，在资源稀缺的时期，能源节约至关重要。因此，异温吸热并不局限于温带环境，但也可能发生在热带生境，如马达加斯加的森林，其特点是环境不可预测和强烈的季节性。该项目将针对两种热带灵长类动物，即部分共域的矮狐猴Cheirogaleus cross sleyi和C.sibreei的异温和能量平衡的生态生理学。这项研究将结合成熟的生态学和最先进的生态生理学途径和方法进行。通过比较生活在不同气候条件和相同气候条件下的不同矮狐猴，我们的目的是1)确定哪些因素影响活动和越冬期间进入异温状态和温度调节模式的倾向；2)评估人为的栖息地变化，即森林片断化，如何影响生态生理参数；3)评估热带越冬在当今气候条件下的适应价值(根据“Epamiondas效应”)；4)阐明热带环境中冬眠演化的基本原理。

Torpor and hibemation are generally favourable strategies in seasonal environments where energy conservation is critical during periods of resource scarcity. Thus, heterothermie endothermy is not restricted to temperate environments but it can also occur in tropical habitats such as Madagascar's forests which are characterized by environmental unpredictability and strong seasonality. This project will target the ecophysiology of heterothermy and energetic balances in two tropical primates, i.e., the partially sympatric dwarf lemur species Cheirogaleus crossleyi and C. sibreei. The study will be conducted by a combination of well-established ecological and state-of-the-art ecophysiological approaches and methods. By comparing different dwarf lemur species living under maritedly different as well as same climatic conditions, we aim to 1) determine which factors influence propensity to enter heterothermie states and thermoregulatory pattems during activity and hibemation 2) assess how anthropogenic alteration of habitat, i.e., forest fragmentation, affects ecophysiological parameters 3) evaluate the adaptive value of tropical hibemation under present-day climatic conditions (according to the "Epaminondas effect") 4) shed light on fundamental principles of the evolution of hibernation in a tropical environment.