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Hibernation in Free-Ranging African Woodland Dormice, Graphiurus murinus

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Living in a Seasonal World

Abstract

Although daily torpor is common in African animals, hibernation seems to be uncommon. In this study we investigated the use of hibernation in free-ranging African woodland dormice, Graphiurus murinus, during winter. We also investigated if this species made any seasonal adjustments to basal metabolic rates. G. murinus were heterothermic on a 100% of the measurement days. The minimum body temperature recorded was 1.5°C and the longest torpor bout without arousal was 8 days. There were no significant differences in basal metabolic rates between seasons and the measured values were similar to those previously reported in laboratory studies. We conclude that hibernation is the main adjustment that G. murinus utilise to deal with challenging winter conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Thuthuka grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Any opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and therefore the NRF does not accept any liability in regard thereto. Mr Brad Fike graciously hosted us and assisted with logistics at the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR). The Eastern Cape Parks Board granted permission to work at GFRR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Nomakwezi Mzilikazi

  2. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, P/Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Zimkitha Madikiza

  3. Department of Animal Physiology, Phillips Universitaet Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Rebecca Oelkrug

  4. Department of Geology and Resource Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, P/Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa

    Roderick M. Baxter

Authors
  1. Nomakwezi Mzilikazi
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  2. Zimkitha Madikiza
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  3. Rebecca Oelkrug
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  4. Roderick M. Baxter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nomakwezi Mzilikazi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Forschungsinst. Wildtierkunde und, Ökologie, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Veterinärplatz 1, Wien, 1210, Austria

    Thomas Ruf

  2. Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Savoyenstr. 1, Vienna, 1160, Austria

    Claudia Bieber

  3. Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Savoyenstr. 1, Vienna, 1160, Austria

    Walter Arnold

  4. , Dept. of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, Vienna, 1160, Austria

    Eva Millesi

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Mzilikazi, N., Madikiza, Z., Oelkrug, R., Baxter, R.M. (2012). Hibernation in Free-Ranging African Woodland Dormice, Graphiurus murinus . In: Ruf, T., Bieber, C., Arnold, W., Millesi, E. (eds) Living in a Seasonal World. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28678-0_4

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