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- Title
Physiological impacts of temperature variability and climate warming in hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis).
- Authors
Terrell, Kimberly A; Quintero, Richard P; Galicia, Veronica Acosta; Bronikowski, Ed; Evans, Matthew; Kleopfer, John D; Murray, Suzan; Murphy, James B; Nissen, Bradley D; Gratwicke, Brian
- Abstract
Cold-adapted hellbender salamanders that inhabit cool mountain streams are expected to fare poorly under warmer projected climate scenarios. This study investigated the physiological consequences of long-term, naturalistic temperature variation on juvenile hellbenders under simulated current and warmer (+1.6 C) climates vs. controlled steady temperatures. Mean temperature and temperature variability were both important predictors of growth as indicated by monthly body mass change (%), stress as indicated by neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio and bacteria-killing ability of blood. Cold exposure in hellbenders was associated with weight loss, increased N:L ratios and reduced Escherichia coli killing ability of blood, and these effects were less pronounced under a warmer climate scenario. These observations suggest that cold periods may be more stressful for hellbenders than previously understood. Growth rates peaked in late spring and late fall around 14–17°C. Hellbenders experiencing warmer simulated climates retained body condition better in winter, but this was counter-balanced by a prolonged lack of growth in the 3-month summer period leading up to the fall breeding season where warmer simulated conditions resulted in an average loss of −0.6% body mass/month, compared to a gain +1.5% body mass/month under current climate scenario. Hellbenders can physiologically tolerate projected warmer temperatures and temperature fluctuations, but warmer summers may cause animals to enter the fall breeding season with a caloric deficit that may have population-level consequences.
- Subjects
TEMPERATURE; ESCHERICHIA coli; SALAMANDERS
- Publication
Conservation Physiology, 2021, Vol 9, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2051-1434
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/conphys/coab079