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Patterns and Expression of Torpor

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Ecological Physiology of Daily Torpor and Hibernation

Part of the book series: Fascinating Life Sciences ((FLS))

Abstract

Torpor is used by many birds and mammals. However, despite the number and diversity of species, it seems only two major patterns have been favoured by natural selection. In most heterothermic endotherms torpor is characterized by either a daily occurrence (‘daily torpor’ in the ‘daily heterotherms’), which often use torpor throughout the year, or multiday torpor in the ‘hibernators’ with often a seasonal occurrence (Fig. 1.7). In many species these two patterns of torpor differ ecologically and functionally. Only a few species appear to display intermediate torpor patterns. However, the comparison between the two torpor patterns is complicated by the strong temperature-dependence of most physiological variables of torpor, which therefore may overlap especially at high Tas (see below). Moreover, long-term studies that have reliably characterised patterns of torpor of species are not always available.

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  1. Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

    Fritz Geiser

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Geiser, F. (2021). Patterns and Expression of Torpor. In: Ecological Physiology of Daily Torpor and Hibernation. Fascinating Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75525-6_4

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