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Maintenance of biological rhythms during hibernation in Eastern woodchucks (Marmota monax)

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Abstract

We undertook a study to determine presence of circadian rhythms during woodchuck hibernation using continuously monitored body temperatures. Males had shorter torpor and longer euthermic periods than females. Circular statistics revealed a significant mean vector for males entering into torpor (10:21 h), but not for females. No significant mean vector was found for male or female arousal from torpor. A contingency test was applied to the torpor bout durations. All 7 males tested had significant τ’s between 24 and 26 h, while 6 of the 13 females tested had significant τ’s with a range of 22–27 h. These results implicate a free-running circadian clock during torpor bouts. Overall, the data support the existence of biological rhythms during hibernation in woodchucks, especially for males during arousals. Since entries into torpor appear to be synchronized for males, arousal periods may be used to resynchronize their circadian system. The persistence of biological rhythms during hibernation may help to insure successful mating in the spring after emergence.

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Abbreviations

h:

Hour

SCN:

Suprachiasmatic nuclei

τ:

Tau

T b :

Body temperature

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University/Berks, PO Box 7009, Reading, PA, 19610-6009, USA

    Stam M. Zervanos & June K. Brown

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46208, USA

    Carmen M. Salsbury

Authors
  1. Stam M. Zervanos
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  2. Carmen M. Salsbury
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  3. June K. Brown
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stam M. Zervanos.

Additional information

Communicated by H. V. Carey.

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Zervanos, S.M., Salsbury, C.M. & Brown, J.K. Maintenance of biological rhythms during hibernation in Eastern woodchucks (Marmota monax). J Comp Physiol B 179, 411–418 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0327-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-008-0327-z

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