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Zhang MG, Seyedolmohadesin M, Hawk S, Park H, Finnen N, Schroeder F, Venkatachalam V, Sternberg PW. Sensory integration of food availability and population density during the diapause exit decision involves insulin-like signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.20.586022. [PMID: 38586049 PMCID: PMC10996498 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.20.586022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Decisions made over long time scales, such as life cycle decisions, require coordinated interplay between sensory perception and sustained gene expression. The Caenorhabditis elegans dauer (or diapause) exit developmental decision requires sensory integration of population density and food availability to induce an all-or-nothing organismal-wide response, but the mechanism by which this occurs remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate how the ASJ chemosensory neurons, known to be critical for dauer exit, perform sensory integration at both the levels of gene expression and calcium activity. In response to favorable conditions, dauers rapidly produce and secrete the dauer exit-promoting insulin-like peptide INS-6. Expression of ins-6 in the ASJ neurons integrate population density and food level and can reflect decision commitment since dauers committed to exiting have higher ins-6 expression levels than those of non-committed dauers. Calcium imaging in dauers reveals that the ASJ neurons are activated by food, and this activity is suppressed by pheromone, indicating that sensory integration also occurs at the level of calcium transients. We find that ins-6 expression in the ASJ neurons depends on neuronal activity in the ASJs, cGMP signaling, a CaM-kinase pathway, and the pheromone components ascr#8 and ascr#2. We propose a model in which decision commitment to exit the dauer state involves an autoregulatory feedback loop in the ASJ neurons that promotes high INS-6 production and secretion. These results collectively demonstrate how insulin-like peptide signaling helps animals compute long-term decisions by bridging sensory perception to decision execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Zhang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Soraya Hawk
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Heenam Park
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nerissa Finnen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Frank Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Paul W Sternberg
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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Pagano AM, Rode KD, Lunn NJ, McGeachy D, Atkinson SN, Farley SD, Erlenbach JA, Robbins CT. Polar bear energetic and behavioral strategies on land with implications for surviving the ice-free period. Nat Commun 2024; 15:947. [PMID: 38351211 PMCID: PMC10864307 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Declining Arctic sea ice is increasing polar bear land use. Polar bears on land are thought to minimize activity to conserve energy. Here, we measure the daily energy expenditure (DEE), diet, behavior, movement, and body composition changes of 20 different polar bears on land over 19-23 days from August to September (2019-2022) in Manitoba, Canada. Polar bears on land exhibited a 5.2-fold range in DEE and 19-fold range in activity, from hibernation-like DEEs to levels approaching active bears on the sea ice, including three individuals that made energetically demanding swims totaling 54-175 km. Bears consumed berries, vegetation, birds, bones, antlers, seal, and beluga. Beyond compensating for elevated DEE, there was little benefit from terrestrial foraging toward prolonging the predicted time to starvation, as 19 of 20 bears lost mass (0.4-1.7 kg•day-1). Although polar bears on land exhibit remarkable behavioral plasticity, our findings reinforce the risk of starvation, particularly in subadults, with forecasted increases in the onshore period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Pagano
- U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
| | - Karyn D Rode
- U. S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA
| | - Nicholas J Lunn
- Wildlife Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - David McGeachy
- Wildlife Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | | | - Sean D Farley
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Anchorage, AK, 99518, USA
| | - Joy A Erlenbach
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak, AK, 99615, USA
| | - Charles T Robbins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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Troitsky TS, Laine VN, Lilley TM. When the host's away, the pathogen will play: the protective role of the skin microbiome during hibernation. Anim Microbiome 2023; 5:66. [PMID: 38129884 PMCID: PMC10740296 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The skin of animals is enveloped by a symbiotic microscopic ecosystem known as the microbiome. The host and microbiome exhibit a mutualistic relationship, collectively forming a single evolutionary unit sometimes referred to as a holobiont. Although the holobiome theory highlights the importance of the microbiome, little is known about how the skin microbiome contributes to protecting the host. Existing studies focus on humans or captive animals, but research in wild animals is in its infancy. Specifically, the protective role of the skin microbiome in hibernating animals remains almost entirely overlooked. This is surprising, considering the massive population declines in hibernating North American bats caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes white-nose syndrome. Hibernation offers a unique setting in which to study the function of the microbiome because, during torpor, the host's immune system becomes suppressed, making it susceptible to infection. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on the protective role of the skin microbiome in non-human animals. We selected 230 publications that mentioned pathogen inhibition by microbes residing on the skin of the host animal. We found that the majority of studies were conducted in North America and focused on the bacterial microbiome of amphibians infected by the chytrid fungus. Despite mentioning pathogen inhibition by the skin microbiome, only 30.4% of studies experimentally tested the actual antimicrobial activity of symbionts. Additionally, only 7.8% of all publications studied defensive cutaneous symbionts during hibernation. With this review, we want to highlight the knowledge gap surrounding skin microbiome research in hibernating animals. For instance, research looking to mitigate the effects of white-nose syndrome in bats should focus on the antifungal microbiome of Palearctic bats, as they survive exposure to the Pseudogymnoascus destructans -pathogen during hibernation. We also recommend future studies prioritize lesser-known microbial symbionts, such as fungi, and investigate the effects of a combination of anti-pathogen microbes, as both areas of research show promise as probiotic treatments. By incorporating the protective skin microbiome into disease mitigation strategies, conservation efforts can be made more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Troitsky
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - V N Laine
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T M Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Thiel A, Hertel AG, Giroud S, Friebe A, Fuchs B, Kindberg J, Græsli AR, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear ( Ursus arctos) movement and physiology. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e75. [PMID: 38510989 PMCID: PMC10951663 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling. Determining the severity and duration of these interventions on the animal's physiology and behaviour allows for refining study methodology and for excluding or accounting for biased data. In this study, 39 Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) captured either while hibernating in winter or via helicopter in summer and that underwent surgery as part of a human health project had their movement, body temperature and timing of onset of hibernation compared with those of 14 control bears that had not been captured during the same period. Bears captured in winter and summer showed decreased movement from den exit until late summer, compared to those in the control group. Bears captured in summer showed reduced movement and body temperature for at least, respectively, 14 and 3 days, with an 11% decrease in hourly distance, compared to pre-capture levels, but did not differ in the timing of hibernation onset. We reveal that brown bear behaviour and physiology can be altered in response to capture and surgery for days to months, post-capture. This has broad implications for the conclusions of wildlife studies that rely upon invasive sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Anne G Hertel
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Energetics Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anne Randi Græsli
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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Evans AL, Fuchs B, Singh NJ, Thiel A, Giroud S, Blanc S, Laske TG, Frobert O, Friebe A, Swenson JE, Arnemo JM. Body mass is associated with hibernation length, body temperature, and heart rate in free-ranging brown bears. Front Zool 2023; 20:27. [PMID: 37587452 PMCID: PMC10433566 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite centuries of research, debate remains on the scaling of metabolic rate to mass especially for intraspecific cases. The high variation of body mass within brown bears presents a unique opportunity to study the intraspecific effects of body mass on physiological variables. The amplitude of metabolic rate reduction in hibernators is dependent on body mass of the species. Small hibernators have high metabolic rates when euthermic but experience a drastic decrease in body temperature during torpor, which is necessary to reach a very low metabolic rate. Conversely, large hibernators, such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), show a moderate decrease in temperature during hibernation, thought to be related to the bear's large size. We studied body mass, abdominal body temperature, heart rate, and accelerometer-derived activity from 63 free-ranging brown bears (1-15 years old, 15-233 kg). We tested for relationships between body mass and body temperature, heart rate, and hibernation duration. RESULTS The smallest individuals maintained lower body temperatures during hibernation, hibernated longer, and ended hibernation later than large bears. Unlike body temperature, winter heart rates were not associated with body mass. In summer, the opposite pattern was found, with smaller individuals having higher body temperature and daytime heart rates. Body mass was associated with body temperature in the winter hypometabolic state, even in a large hibernating mammal. Smaller bears, which are known to have higher thermal conductance, reached lower body temperatures during hibernation. During summer, smaller bears had higher body temperatures and daytime heart rates, a phenomenon not previously documented within a single mammalian species. CONCLUSION We conclude that the smallest bears hibernated more deeply and longer than large bears, likely from a combined effect of basic thermodynamics, the higher need for energy savings, and a lower cost of warming up a smaller body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway.
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Navinder J Singh
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Reseach Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
- Energetics Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, USA
| | - Stephane Blanc
- Hubert Curien Multidisciplinary Institute, UMR 7178 CNRS/UDS, 23 Rue Becquerel, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ole Frobert
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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6
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Brown L, Fuchs B, Arnemo JM, Kindberg J, Rodushkin I, Zedrosser A, Pelletier F. Lead exposure in brown bears is linked to environmental levels and the distribution of moose kills. Sci Total Environ 2023; 873:162099. [PMID: 36764533 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is heterogeneously distributed in the environment and multiple sources like Pb ammunition and fossil fuel combustion can increase the risk of exposure in wildlife. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden have higher blood Pb levels compared to bears from other populations, but the sources and routes of exposure are unknown. The objective of this study was to quantify the contribution of two potential sources of Pb exposure in female brown bears (n = 34 individuals; n = 61 samples). We used multiple linear regressions to determine the contribution of both environmental Pb levels estimated from plant roots and moose (Alces alces) kills to blood Pb concentrations in female brown bears. We found positive relationships between blood Pb concentrations in bears and both the distribution of moose kills by hunters and environmental Pb levels around capture locations. Our results suggest that the consumption of slaughter remains discarded by moose hunters is a likely significant pathway of Pb exposure and this exposure is additive to environmental Pb exposure in female brown bears in Sweden. We suggest that spatially explicit models, incorporating habitat selection analyses of harvest data, may prove useful in predicting Pb exposure in scavengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovick Brown
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- Division of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden; ALS Scandinavia AB, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Telemark, Norway; Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
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Zanetti F, Chen CY, Baker H, Sugiura H, Drew K, Barati* ZB. Cardiac rhythms and variation in hibernating arctic ground squirrels. Physiol Biochem Zool 2023. [DOI: 10.1086/724688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
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8
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Laurent A, Scaletta C, Abdel-Sayed P, Raffoul W, Hirt-Burri N, Applegate LA. Industrial Biotechnology Conservation Processes: Similarities with Natural Long-Term Preservation of Biological Organisms. BioTech (Basel) 2023; 12:biotech12010015. [PMID: 36810442 PMCID: PMC9944097 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation and lyophilization processes are widely used for conservation purposes in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and food industries or in medical transplantation. Such processes deal with extremely low temperatures (e.g., -196 °C) and multiple physical states of water, a universal and essential molecule for many biological lifeforms. This study firstly considers the controlled laboratory/industrial artificial conditions used to favor specific water phase transitions during cellular material cryopreservation and lyophilization under the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program. Both biotechnological tools are successfully used for the long-term storage of biological samples and products, with reversible quasi-arrest of metabolic activities (e.g., cryogenic storage in liquid nitrogen). Secondly, similarities are outlined between such artificial localized environment modifications and some natural ecological niches known to favor metabolic rate modifications (e.g., cryptobiosis) in biological organisms. Specifically, examples of survival to extreme physical parameters by small multi-cellular animals (e.g., tardigrades) are discussed, opening further considerations about the possibility to reversibly slow or temporarily arrest the metabolic activity rates of defined complex organisms in controlled conditions. Key examples of biological organism adaptation capabilities to extreme environmental parameters finally enabled a discussion about the emergence of early primordial biological lifeforms, from natural biotechnology and evolutionary points of view. Overall, the provided examples/similarities confirm the interest in further transposing natural processes and phenomena to controlled laboratory settings with the ultimate goal of gaining better control and modulation capacities over the metabolic activities of complex biological organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Laurent
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Applied Research Department, LAM Biotechnologies SA, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Manufacturing Department, TEC-PHARMA SA, CH-1038 Bercher, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Scaletta
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Abdel-Sayed
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- DLL Bioengineering, STI School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wassim Raffoul
- Lausanne Burn Center, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Hirt-Burri
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Lee Ann Applegate
- Regenerative Therapy Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Lausanne Burn Center, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-314-35-10
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9
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Leimgruber P, Songsasen N, Stabach JA, Horning M, Reed D, Buk T, Harwood A, Layman L, Mathews C, Vance M, Marinari P, Helmick KE, Delaski KM, Ware LH, Jones JC, Silva JLP, Laske TG, Moraes RN. Providing baseline data for conservation-Heart rate monitoring in captive scimitar-horned oryx. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1079008. [PMID: 36909234 PMCID: PMC9998487 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1079008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rate biologging has been successfully used to study wildlife responses to natural and human-caused stressors (e.g., hunting, landscape of fear). Although rarely deployed to inform conservation, heart rate biologging may be particularly valuable for assessing success in wildlife reintroductions. We conducted a case study for testing and validating the use of subcutaneous heart rate monitors in eight captive scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), a once-extinct species that is currently being restored to the wild. We evaluated biologger safety and accuracy while collecting long-term baseline data and assessing factors explaining variation in heart rate. None of the biologgers were rejected after implantation, with successful data capture for 16-21 months. Heart rate detection accuracy was high (83%-99%) for six of the individuals with left lateral placement of the biologgers. We excluded data from two individuals with a right lateral placement because accuracies were below 60%. Average heart rate for the six scimitar-horned oryx was 60.3 ± 12.7 bpm, and varied by about 12 bpm between individuals, with a minimum of 31 bpm and a maximum of 188 bpm across individuals. Scimitar-horned oryx displayed distinct circadian rhythms in heart rate and activity. Heart rate and activity were low early in the morning and peaked near dusk. Circadian rhythm in heart rate and activity were relatively unchanged across season, but hourly averages for heart rate and activity were higher in spring and summer, respectively. Variation in hourly heart rate averages was best explained by a combination of activity, hour, astronomical season, ambient temperature, and an interaction term for hour and season. Increases in activity appeared to result in the largest changes in heart rate. We concluded that biologgers are safe and accurate and can be deployed in free-ranging and reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx. In addition to current monitoring practices of reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx, the resulting biologging data could significantly aid in 1) evaluating care and management action prior to release, 2) characterizing different animal personalities and how these might affect reintroduction outcomes for individual animals, and 3) identifying stressors after release to determine their timing, duration, and impact on released animals. Heart rate monitoring in released scimitar-horned oryx may also aid in advancing our knowledge about how desert ungulates adapt to extreme environmental variation in their habitats (e.g., heat, drought).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Leimgruber
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Jared A Stabach
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Megan Horning
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States.,Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Dolores Reed
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Tara Buk
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Arielle Harwood
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Lawrence Layman
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Christopher Mathews
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Morgan Vance
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Paul Marinari
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Kelly E Helmick
- Department of Conservation Medicine, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Kristina M Delaski
- Department of Conservation Medicine, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Lisa H Ware
- Department of Conservation Medicine, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Julia C Jones
- Department of Conservation Medicine, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | - Jose L P Silva
- Department of Statistics, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.,Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic Inc., Mounds View, MN, United States
| | - Rosana Nogueira Moraes
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States.,Department of Physiology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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10
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Chetri M. First camera-trap confirmation of Tibetan Brown Bear Ursus arctos pruinosus Blyth, 1854 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ursidae) with a review of its distribution and status in Nepal. J Threat Taxa 2022. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7797.14.9.21797-21804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tibetan Brown Bear Ursus arctos pruinosus is a large mammalian carnivore of high-altitude environments that is closely associated with the pastoral landscape. Limited information is available on this species, probably due to its rarity in the Himalaya. To date, scientific evidence of the presence of Tibetan Brown Bears has not been reported officially. The information presented here is based on data collected in the central Himalayan region of Nepal in 2003–2014 during biodiversity surveys and other research. Methods included random walks along livestock trails, transect surveys, opportunistic camera trapping, and herders’ reports & interviews. This is the first camera-trap confirmation of the Tibetan Brown Bear in the central Himalaya. The distribution map was updated based on direct observation, signs and field reports gathered from reliable sources. The presence of signs (diggings, footprints, and feces) and direct observation in the Annapurna-Manaslu landscape reveal that bears are closely associated with Himalayan marmots and other small rodents. Local folklore, legends, and cultural beliefs have played important roles in Brown Bear conservation in the central Himalaya.
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Saxton MW, Perry BW, Evans Hutzenbiler BD, Trojahn S, Gee A, Brown AP, Merrihew GE, Park J, Cornejo OE, MacCoss MJ, Robbins CT, Jansen HT, Kelley JL. Serum plays an important role in reprogramming the seasonal transcriptional profile of brown bear adipocytes. iScience 2022; 25:105084. [PMID: 36317158 PMCID: PMC9617460 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how metabolic reprogramming happens in cells will aid the progress in the treatment of a variety of metabolic disorders. Brown bears undergo seasonal shifts in insulin sensitivity, including reversible insulin resistance in hibernation. We performed RNA-sequencing on brown bear adipocytes and proteomics on serum to identify changes possibly responsible for reversible insulin resistance. We observed dramatic transcriptional changes, which depended on both the cell and serum season of origin. Despite large changes in adipocyte gene expression, only changes in eight circulating proteins were identified as related to the seasonal shifts in insulin sensitivity, including some that have not previously been associated with glucose homeostasis. The identified serum proteins may be sufficient for shifting hibernation adipocytes to an active-like state. Hibernation in grizzly bears is marked by insulin resistance Bear adipocytes were stimulated with active and hibernating bear blood serum Serum elicited dramatic gene expression responses related to insulin signaling Eight serum proteins were implicated in driving this transcriptional response
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Saxton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Blair W. Perry
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | | | - Shawn Trojahn
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Alexia Gee
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Anthony P. Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | | | - Jea Park
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Omar E. Cornejo
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Michael J. MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Charles T. Robbins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Heiko T. Jansen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Joanna L. Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
- Corresponding author
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12
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Frøbert AM, Toews JNC, Nielsen CG, Brohus M, Kindberg J, Jessen N, Fröbert O, Hammond GL, Overgaard MT. Differential Changes in Circulating Steroid Hormones in Hibernating Brown Bears: Preliminary Conclusions and Caveats. Physiol Biochem Zool 2022; 95:365-378. [PMID: 35839518 DOI: 10.1086/721154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Brown bears are obese when they enter the den, and after 6 mo of hibernation and physical inactivity, bears show none of the adverse consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in humans, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and kidney failure. The metabolic mechanisms that drive hibernation physiology in bears are poorly defined, but systemic endocrine regulators are likely involved. To investigate the potential role of steroid hormones, we quantified the total levels of 12 steroid hormones, the precursor cholesterol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and corticosterone-binding globulin (CBG) in paired serum samples from subadult free-ranging Scandinavian brown bears during the active and hibernation states. During hibernation, androstenedione and testosterone were significantly decreased in subadult female bears (n=13), whereas they increased in all males but one (n=6) and therefore did not reach a significant difference. Despite this difference, SHBG increased more than 20-fold during hibernation for all bears. Compared with SHBG concentrations in humans, bear levels were very low in the active state, but during hibernation, levels equaled high levels in humans. The increased SHBG levels likely maintain a state of relative quiescence of the reproductive hormones in hibernating bears. Interestingly, the combination of SHBG and testosterone levels results in similar free bioavailable testosterone levels of 70-80 pM in both subadult and adult sexually active male bears, suggesting a role for SHBG in controlling androgen action during hibernation in males. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol levels were below the detection limit in all but one animal. The metabolically active glucocorticoids were significantly higher in both sexes during hibernation, whereas the inactive metabolite cortisone was reduced and CBG was low approaching the detection limit. A potential caveat is that the glucocorticoid levels might be affected by the ketamine applied in the anesthetic mixture for hibernating bears. However, increased hibernating cortisol levels have consistently been reported in both black bears and brown bears. Thus, we suggest that high glucocorticoid activity may support the hibernation state, likely serving to promote lipolysis and gluconeogenesis while limiting tissue glucose uptake to maintain a continuous glucose supply to the brain.
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13
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Keicher L, Shipley JR, Komar E, Ruczyński I, Schaeffer PJ, Dechmann DKN. Flexible energy-saving strategies in female temperate-zone bats. J Comp Physiol B 2022. [PMID: 35939092 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-022-01452-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Torpor is characterized by an extreme reduction in metabolism and a common energy-saving strategy of heterothermic animals. Torpor is often associated with cold temperatures, but in the last decades, more diverse and flexible forms of torpor have been described. For example, tropical bat species maintain a low metabolism and heart rate at high ambient and body temperatures. We investigated whether bats (Nyctalus noctula) from the cooler temperate European regions also show this form of torpor with metabolic inhibition at high body temperatures, and whether this would be as pronounced in reproductive as in non-reproductive bats. We simultaneously measured metabolic rate, heart rate, and skin temperature in non-reproductive and pregnant females at a range of ambient temperatures. We found that they can decouple metabolic rate and heart rate from body temperature: they maintained an extremely low metabolism and heart rate when exposed to ambient temperatures changing from 0 to 32.5 °C, irrespective of reproductive status. When we simulated natural temperature conditions, all non-reproductive bats used torpor throughout the experiment. Pregnant bats used variable strategies from torpor, to maintaining normothermy, or a combination of both. Even a short torpor bout during the day saved up to 33% of the bats' total energy expenditure. Especially at higher temperatures, heart rate was a much better predictor of metabolic rate than skin temperature. We suggest that the capability to flexibly save energy across a range of ambient temperatures within and between reproductive states may be an important ability of these bats and possibly other temperate-zone heterotherms.
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Thiel A, Giroud S, Hertel AG, Friebe A, Devineau O, Fuchs B, Blanc S, Støen OG, Laske TG, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Seasonality in Biological Rhythms in Scandinavian brown Bears. Front Physiol 2022; 13:785706. [PMID: 35600291 PMCID: PMC9118031 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.785706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological rhythms, such as rhythms in activity and body temperature, are usually highly synchronized and entrained by environmental conditions, such as photoperiod. However, how the expression of these rhythms changes during hibernation, when the perception of environmental cues is limited, has not yet been fully understood for all hibernators, especially in the wild. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Scandinavia lives in a highly seasonal environment and adapts to harsh winter conditions by exhibiting hibernation, characterized by reduced metabolism and activity. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression of biological rhythms in activity, body temperature and heart rate of free-ranging brown bears over the annual cycle, including active, hibernation and the transition states around den entry and exit. We found that rhythms in physiology and activity are mostly synchronized and entrained by the light-dark cycle during the bears’ active state with predominantly diel and ultradian rhythms for body temperature, activity and heart rate. However, during hibernation, rhythms in body temperature and heart rate were considerably slowed down to infradian rhythms, influenced by the amount of snow in the denning area, whereas rhythms in activity remained diel. Rhythms in the transition states when bears prepared for entering or coming out of hibernation state displayed a combination of infradian and diel rhythms, indicating the preparation of the body for the change in environmental conditions. These results reveal that brown bears adjust their biological rhythms to the seasonal environment they inhabit. Rhythms in physiology and activity show simultaneity during the active state but are partly disconnected from each other during hibernation, when bears are most sheltered from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne G Hertel
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, Orsa, Sweden.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Olivier Devineau
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Stephane Blanc
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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Further Reading. Animal Welfare. Wiley; 2022. pp. 147-50. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119857099.furread] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Abstract
Hibernation is a natural state of suspended animation that many mammals experience and has been interpreted as an adaptive strategy for saving energy. However, the actual amount of savings that hibernation represents, and particularly its dependence on body mass (the 'scaling') has not been calculated properly. Here, we estimated the scaling of daily energy expenditure of hibernation (DEEH), covering a range of five orders of magnitude in mass. We found that DEEH scales isometrically with mass, which means that a gram of hibernating bat has a similar metabolism to that of a gram of bear, 20 000 times larger. Given that metabolic rate of active animals scales allometrically, the point where these scaling curves intersect with DEEH represents the mass where energy savings by hibernation are zero. For BMR, these zero savings are attained for a relatively small bear (approx. 75 kg). Calculated on a per cell basis, the cellular metabolic power of hibernation was estimated to be 1.3 × 10-12 ± 2.6 × 10-13 W cell-1, which is lower than the minimum metabolism of isolated mammalian cells. This supports the idea of the existence of a minimum metabolism that permits cells to survive under a combination of cold and hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto F Nespolo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Millenium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi) and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile.,Center for Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Mejias
- Magister en Ecología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Millenium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi) and Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Bozinovic
- Center for Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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17
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Pereira J, Rosalino LM, Reljić S, Babic N, Huber D. Factors influencing the success of capturing European brown bears with foot snares. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Management of free-ranging wildlife may include the capture of animals, with the implication that the capture process is optimized, both logistically and economically and in a way that avoids animal suffering, injury or accidental mortality. Studies targeting the optimization of trapping techniques are scarce, especially when focusing on large European mammals. Therefore, to fill this knowledge gap, we aimed to evaluate key factors that help determine brown bear capture success. This was done by analysing a complete data set from 23 years of capturing free-living Eurasian brown bears in Croatia by using Aldrich-type foot snares. Results showed significantly higher capture efficiency when traps were located at permanent feeding sites when compared to temporary feeding sites. Also, the use of a trail trap design was significantly more efficient in capturing bears than using a cubby set. Finally, results showed that trapping was more efficient when we bait the traps more frequently and when we implemented longer trap-sessions, with at least 14 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Pereira
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa , Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Luís Miguel Rosalino
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa , Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Biology Department , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Natarsha Babic
- School of Biological Science, Monash University, Clayton Campus , Clayton , VIC 3800 , Australia
| | - Djuro Huber
- Biology Department , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb , Croatia
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18
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Schulte L, De Angelis D, Babic N, Reljić S. Very Small Home Ranges of Two Gravid European Brown Bears during Hyperphagia. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123580. [PMID: 34944355 PMCID: PMC8697980 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Paklenica National Park is home to the European brown bear while it is also frequently visited by tourists and home to permanent and semi-permanent residents. The aim of our study was to analyze the use of space of the National Park in autumn. Therefore, we have live captured two brown bears in September 2019 and equipped them with GPS/GSM collars to track their movement pattern and then estimate their home range. We captured two females that were both gravid. We found out that these individuals used very small seasonal home ranges in autumn before denning. Additionally, they almost exclusively showed solitary use of their home range. They nevertheless spent a considerable amount of time close to feeding sites and approached human settlements as close as 4 m while they were mostly active during the night. During the pre-denning stage, most human–bear encounters occur, which is why it is important to offer refugia for the animals from human disturbance. Abstract In September 2019, two gravid female brown bears (Ursus arctos) were captured and equipped with GPS/GSM collars in Paklenica National Park (Croatia). Home ranges during hyperphagia were analyzed to describe the spatiotemporal requirements. Mean seasonal home ranges were very small with 9.2 km2 and 7.5 km2 (Brownian Bridge Movement Model 95%). During the tracking period, both bears used different territories and showed little to no use of overlapping area. The bears in our study spent a considerable time in proximity of artificial feeding sites, indicating a probable use of these structures as a food resource (mean 15.7% and 30.7%). Furthermore, the bears approached very close to human structures such as 8.9 m and 4.4 m. As most encounters between humans and bears occur during hyperphagia, it is important to offer refugia from human disturbance, especially as the National Park is not only used by residents, but also by tourists. To adapt management according to the animal’s needs, further studies should include more individuals from different age and sex classes. Both females were gravid. It remains unclear whether gravidity has an effect on the home range and should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schulte
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-521-1062835
| | - Daniele De Angelis
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin” BBCD, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Natarsha Babic
- School of Biological Sciences, Clayton Campus, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Maher CJ, Gibson A, Dixon LM, Bacon H. Developing a Reliable Welfare Assessment Tool for Captive Hibernatory Bear Species. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3090. [PMID: 34827822 PMCID: PMC8614556 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare assessments are essential for the identification of welfare hazards and benchmarking of welfare improvements, though welfare assessments for zoo species are lacking. Bears are commonly housed in zoos but currently no composite welfare assessment tool exists for captive bears. This study describes the development of such a tool for use across hibernating bear species. A draft tool was developed using indicators derived from the literature and a modified Delphi analysis with an international group of bear keepers. A total of 18 bear keepers from 12 zoos were recruited to trial the tool on 24 brown bears and American black bears. The participating keepers assessed their bears three times across a period of nine days. Intraclass correlation coefficients analysis was used to analyse inter-, intra-rater and item reliability. The inter- and intra-rater reliability showed good to excellent levels of agreement (>0.7, p < 0.05). Item reliability was also assessed and showed good to excellent levels of agreement (>0.75, p < 0.05). The resulting bear welfare assessment is an important step in identifying and understanding challenges to bear welfare in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe J. Maher
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Angela Gibson
- The Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, USA;
- The Bear Care Group, P.O. Box 7174, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA;
| | - Laura M. Dixon
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Department, SRUC, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Heather Bacon
- The Bear Care Group, P.O. Box 7174, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA;
- The School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
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20
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Fuchs B, Thiel A, Zedrosser A, Brown L, Hydeskov HB, Rodushkin I, Evans AL, Boesen AH, Græsli AR, Kindberg J, Arnemo JM. High concentrations of lead (Pb) in blood and milk of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Scandinavia. Environ Pollut 2021; 287:117595. [PMID: 34426381 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to lead (Pb) is a global health problem for both humans and wildlife. Despite a dramatic decline in human Pb exposure following restrictions of leaded gasoline and industry and thereby an overall reduction of Pb entering the environment, Pb exposure continues to be a problem for wildlife species. Literature on scavenging terrestrial mammals, including interactions between Pb exposure and life history, is however limited. We quantified Pb concentration in 153 blood samples from 110 free-ranging Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos), 1-25 years old, using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. We used generalized linear models to test effects of age, body mass, reproduction status and spatial distribution on the blood Pb concentrations of 56 female bears. We sampled 28 females together with 56 dependent cubs and paired their blood Pb concentrations. From 20 lactating females, we measured the Pb concentration in milk. The mean blood Pb concentration was 96.6 μg/L (range: 38.7-220.5 μg/L). Both the mean and range are well above established threshold concentrations for developmental neurotoxicity (12 μg/L), increased systolic blood pressure (36 μg/L) and prevalence of kidney disease in humans (15 μg/L). Lactating females had higher Pb blood concentrations compared to younger, non-lactating females. Blood Pb concentrations of dependent cubs were correlated with their mother's blood Pb concentration, which in turn was correlated with the Pb concentration in the milk. Life-long Pb exposure in Scandinavian brown bears may have adverse effects both on individual and population levels. The high blood Pb concentrations found in brown bears contrast the general reduction in environmental Pb contamination over the past decades in Scandinavia and more research is needed to identify the sources and pathways of Pb exposure in the brown bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway.
| | - Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800, Bø in Telemark, Norway; Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludovick Brown
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Québec, Canada
| | - Helle B Hydeskov
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, NG25 0QF, United Kingdom
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- Division of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, 97187, Luleå, Sweden; ALS Scandinavia AB, 97187, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Amanda H Boesen
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Anne Randi Græsli
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), 7485, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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21
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Choukér A, Ngo-Anh TJ, Biesbroek R, Heldmaier G, Heppener M, Bereiter-Hahn J. European space agency's hibernation (torpor) strategy for deep space missions: Linking biology to engineering. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:618-626. [PMID: 34606822 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Long-duration space missions to Mars will impose extreme stresses of physical and psychological nature on the crew, as well as significant logistical and technical challenges for life support and transportation. Main challenges include optimising overall mass and maintaining crew physical and mental health. These key scopes have been taken up as the baseline for a study by the European Space Agency (ESA) using its Concurrent Design Facility (CDF). It focussed on the biology of hibernation in reducing metabolism and hence stress, and its links to the infrastructure and life support. We concluded that torpor of crew members can reduce the payload with respect to oxygen, food and water but will require monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI) assisted monitoring of the crew. These studies additionally offer new potential applications for patient care on Earth. Keywords: Space flight, concurrent design facility, metabolic reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Thu Jennifer Ngo-Anh
- Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Robin Biesbroek
- Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Gerhard Heldmaier
- Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Marburg University, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marc Heppener
- (c)/o Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Bereiter-Hahn
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Lauestr. 19, D 6438, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
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Giroud S, Chery I, Arrivé M, Prost M, Zumsteg J, Heintz D, Evans AL, Gauquelin-Koch G, Arnemo JM, Swenson JE, Lefai E, Bertile F, Simon C, Blanc S. Hibernating brown bears are protected against atherogenic dyslipidemia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18723. [PMID: 34548543 PMCID: PMC8455566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate mechanisms by which hibernators avoid atherogenic hyperlipidemia during hibernation, we assessed lipoprotein and cholesterol metabolisms of free-ranging Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos). In winter- and summer-captured bears, we measured lipoprotein sizes and sub-classes, triglyceride-related plasma-enzyme activities, and muscle lipid composition along with plasma-levels of antioxidant capacities and inflammatory markers. Although hibernating bears increased nearly all lipid levels, a 36%-higher cholesteryl-ester transfer-protein activity allowed to stabilize lipid composition of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Levels of inflammatory metabolites, i.e., 7-ketocholesterol and 11ß-prostaglandin F2α, declined in winter and correlated inversely with cardioprotective HDL2b-proportions and HDL-sizes that increased during hibernation. Lower muscle-cholesterol concentrations and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in winter suggest that hibernating bears tightly controlled peripheral-cholesterol synthesis and/or release. Finally, greater plasma-antioxidant capacities prevented excessive lipid-specific oxidative damages in plasma and muscles of hibernating bears. Hence, the brown bear manages large lipid fluxes during hibernation, without developing adverse atherogenic effects that occur in humans and non-hibernators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Isabelle Chery
- University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), 23 rue du Loess, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathilde Arrivé
- University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), 23 rue du Loess, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Julie Zumsteg
- Plant Imaging & Mass Spectrometry (PIMS), Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dimitri Heintz
- Plant Imaging & Mass Spectrometry (PIMS), Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | | | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2480, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Etienne Lefai
- University of Auvergne, INRAE, UNH UMR1019, 63122, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Fabrice Bertile
- University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), 23 rue du Loess, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | - Chantal Simon
- CARMEN, INSERM U1060/University of Lyon / INRA U1235, Oullins, France
| | - Stéphane Blanc
- University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS, UMR7178, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), 23 rue du Loess, 67087, Strasbourg, France
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23
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Williams HJ, Shipley JR, Rutz C, Wikelski M, Wilkes M, Hawkes LA. Future trends in measuring physiology in free-living animals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200230. [PMID: 34176330 PMCID: PMC8237165 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Thus far, ecophysiology research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory-based environments, owing to a mismatch between the recording technologies available for physiological monitoring in wild animals and the suite of behaviours and environments they need to withstand, without unduly affecting subjects. While it is possible to record some physiological variables for free-living animals using animal-attached logging devices, including inertial-measurement, heart-rate and temperature loggers, the field is still in its infancy. In this opinion piece, we review the most important future research directions for advancing the field of 'physiologging' in wild animals, including the technological development that we anticipate will be required, and the fiscal and ethical challenges that must be overcome. Non-invasive, multi-sensor miniature devices are ubiquitous in the world of human health and fitness monitoring, creating invaluable opportunities for animal and human physiologging to drive synergistic advances. We argue that by capitalizing on the research efforts and advancements made in the development of human wearables, it will be possible to design the non-invasive loggers needed by ecophysiologists to collect accurate physiological data from free-ranging animals ethically and with an absolute minimum of impact. In turn, findings have the capacity to foster transformative advances in human health monitoring. Thus, we invite biomedical engineers and researchers to collaborate with the animal-tagging community to drive forward the advancements necessary to realize the full potential of both fields. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part II)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. J. Williams
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - J. Ryan Shipley
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - C. Rutz
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - M. Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - M. Wilkes
- Extreme Environments Research Group, University of Portsmouth, Spinnaker Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth PO1 2EF, UK
| | - L. A. Hawkes
- Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
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24
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Givre L, Crola Da Silva C, Swenson JE, Arnemo JM, Gauquelin-Koch G, Bertile F, Lefai E, Gomez L. Cardiomyocyte Protection by Hibernating Brown Bear Serum: Toward the Identification of New Protective Molecules Against Myocardial Infarction. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:687501. [PMID: 34336951 PMCID: PMC8322573 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.687501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite intensive research on the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, no effective therapy has shown clinical success. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are required to protect the heart from reperfusion injury. Interestingly, despite physical inactivity during hibernation, brown bears (Ursus arctos) cope with cardiovascular physiological conditions that would be detrimental to humans. We hypothesized that bear serum might contain circulating factors that could provide protection against cell injury. In this study, we sought to determine whether addition of bear serum might improve cardiomyocyte survival following hypoxia–reoxygenation. Isolated mouse cardiomyocytes underwent 45 min of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. At the onset of reoxygenation, cells received fetal bovine serum (FBS; positive control), summer (SBS) or winter bear serum (WBS), or adult serums of other species, as indicated. After 2 h of reoxygenation, propidium iodide staining was used to evaluate cell viability by flow cytometry. Whereas, 0.5% SBS tended to decrease reperfusion injury, 0.5% WBS significantly reduced cell death, averaging 74.04 ± 7.06% vs. 79.20 ± 6.53% in the FBS group. This cardioprotective effect was lost at 0.1%, became toxic above 5%, and was specific to the bear. Our results showed that bear serum exerts a therapeutic effect with an efficacy threshold, an optimal dose, and a toxic effect on cardiomyocyte viability after hypoxia–reoxygenation. Therefore, the bear serum may be a potential source for identifying new therapeutic molecules to fight against myocardial reperfusion injury and cell death in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Givre
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Claire Crola Da Silva
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Fabrice Bertile
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Etienne Lefai
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UNH, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ludovic Gomez
- Univ Lyon, CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM, INRA, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
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25
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Jansen HT, Evans Hutzenbiler B, Hapner HR, McPhee ML, Carnahan AM, Kelley JL, Saxton MW, Robbins CT. Can offsetting the energetic cost of hibernation restore an active season phenotype in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)? J Exp Biol 2021; 224:269178. [PMID: 34137891 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Hibernation is characterized by depression of many physiological processes. To determine if this state is reversible in a non-food caching species, we fed hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) dextrose for 10 days to replace 53% or 100% of the estimated minimum daily energetic cost of hibernation. Feeding caused serum concentrations of glycerol and ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate) to return to active season levels irrespective of the amount of glucose fed. By contrast, free fatty acids (FFAs) and indices of metabolic rate, such as general activity, heart rate, strength of heart rate circadian rhythm, and insulin sensitivity were restored to approximately 50% of active season levels. Body temperature was unaffected by feeding. To determine the contribution of adipose to the metabolic effects observed after glucose feeding, we cultured bear adipocytes collected at the beginning and end of the feeding and performed metabolic flux analysis. We found a ∼33% increase in energy metabolism after feeding. Moreover, basal metabolism before feeding was 40% lower in hibernation cells compared with fed cells or active cells cultured at 37°C, thereby confirming the temperature independence of metabolic rate. The partial depression of circulating FFAs with feeding likely explains the incomplete restoration of insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in hibernating bears. Further depression of metabolic function is likely to be an active process. Together, the results provide a highly controlled model to examine the relationship between nutrient availability and metabolism on the hibernation phenotype in bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko T Jansen
- Dept. Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Brandon Evans Hutzenbiler
- Dept. Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Hannah R Hapner
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Madeline L McPhee
- Dept. Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Anthony M Carnahan
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michael W Saxton
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Charles T Robbins
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.,School of the Environment, College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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26
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Laske TG, Garshelis DL, Iles TL, Iaizzo PA. An engineering perspective on the development and evolution of implantable cardiac monitors in free-living animals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200217. [PMID: 34121460 PMCID: PMC8200647 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest technologies associated with implantable physiological monitoring devices can record multiple channels of data (including: heart rates and rhythms, activity, temperature, impedance and posture), and coupled with powerful software applications, have provided novel insights into the physiology of animals in the wild. This perspective details past challenges and lessons learned from the uses and developments of implanted biologgers designed for human clinical application in our research on free-ranging American black bears (Ursus americanus). In addition, we reference other research by colleagues and collaborators who have leveraged these devices in their work, including: brown bears (Ursus arctos), grey wolves (Canis lupus), moose (Alces alces), maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). We also discuss the potentials for applications of such devices across a range of other species. To date, the devices described have been used in fifteen different wild species, with publications pending in many instances. We have focused our physiological research on the analyses of heart rates and rhythms and thus special attention will be paid to this topic. We then discuss some major expected step changes such as improvements in sensing algorithms, data storage, and the incorporation of next-generation short-range wireless telemetry. The latter provides new avenues for data transfer, and when combined with cloud-based computing, it not only provides means for big data storage but also the ability to readily leverage high-performance computing platforms using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. These advances will dramatically increase both data quantity and quality and will facilitate the development of automated recognition of extreme physiological events or key behaviours of interest in a broad array of environments, thus further aiding wildlife monitoring and management. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part I)’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, B172 Mayo, MMC 195, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David L Garshelis
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (retired), 1201 E Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA
| | - Tinen L Iles
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, B172 Mayo, MMC 195, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Paul A Iaizzo
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, B172 Mayo, MMC 195, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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27
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Lee CR, Chen A, Tye KM. The neural circuitry of social homeostasis: Consequences of acute versus chronic social isolation. Cell 2021; 184:1500-1516. [PMID: 33691140 PMCID: PMC8580010 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Social homeostasis is the ability of individuals to detect the quantity and quality of social contact, compare it to an established set-point in a command center, and adjust the effort expended to seek the optimal social contact expressed via an effector system. Social contact becomes a positive or negative valence stimulus when it is deficient or in excess, respectively. Chronic deficits lead to set-point adaptations such that reintroduction to the previous optimum is experienced as a surplus. Here, we build upon previous models for social homeostasis to include adaptations to lasting changes in environmental conditions, such as with chronic isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Lee
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Kay M Tye
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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28
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Zhang J, Chang H, Yin R, Xu S, Wang H, Gao Y. A temporal study on musculoskeletal morphology and metabolism in hibernating Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Bone 2021; 144:115826. [PMID: 33348129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hibernators provide a natural model to study the mechanisms underlying the prevention of disuse-induced musculoskeletal deterioration. Currently, however, these mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated changes in morphology and metabolic indices in the hindlimb skeletal muscle and bone of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during different periods of hibernation, and further explored the possible mechanisms involved in the musculoskeletal maintenance of hibernators after prolonged inactivity. Results showed that, compared with levels in the summer active group (SA), almost all morphological indices of skeletal muscle and bone, including muscle mass, muscle fiber cross-sectional area, bone mass, bone length, and bone mechanical properties, were unchanged in the different periods of hibernation. Only a few microstructural parameters of bone showed deterioration in the post-hibernation group (POST), including increased specific bone surface (+71%), decreased trabecular thickness (-43%), and decreased average cortical thickness (-51%) in the tibia, and increased trabecular separation (+60%) in the femur. Furthermore, most examined metabolic indices involved in muscle protein turnover and bone remodeling were unchanged, except for several indices in the inter-bout arousal group (IBA), i.e., increase in the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) (IBA vs. SA, +80%) in the vastus medialis muscle, increase in chymotrypsin-like activity (IBA vs. SA, +62%) in the tibialis anterior muscle, increase in osteoblast number (IBA vs. SA, +110%; IBA vs. torpor (TOR), +68%) and osteoclast number (IBA vs. TOR, +105%) per bone surface in the tibia, and increase in osteoclast surface per bone surface (IBA vs. TOR, +128%) in the femur. The above evidence demonstrates that the musculoskeletal morphology of squirrels was largely preserved, and musculoskeletal metabolism was generally maintained after prolonged hibernation inactivity. These findings suggest that the well-maintained musculoskeletal metabolism may be a vital mechanism underlying the preservation of the musculoskeletal system during hibernation. The coincident up-regulation of several metabolic indicators during IBA indicates that musculoskeletal metabolism may be relatively active during this period; however, its role in musculoskeletal maintenance during hibernation needs further clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Hui Chang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Rongrong Yin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Shenhui Xu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Huiping Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Yunfang Gao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710069, China.
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29
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Bertile F, Habold C, Le Maho Y, Giroud S. Body Protein Sparing in Hibernators: A Source for Biomedical Innovation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:634953. [PMID: 33679446 PMCID: PMC7930392 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.634953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are not only the major structural components of living cells but also ensure essential physiological functions within the organism. Any change in protein abundance and/or structure is at risk for the proper body functioning and/or survival of organisms. Death following starvation is attributed to a loss of about half of total body proteins, and body protein loss induced by muscle disuse is responsible for major metabolic disorders in immobilized patients, and sedentary or elderly people. Basic knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control proteostasis is continuously growing. Yet, finding and developing efficient treatments to limit body/muscle protein loss in humans remain a medical challenge, physical exercise and nutritional programs managing to only partially compensate for it. This is notably a major challenge for the treatment of obesity, where therapies should promote fat loss while preserving body proteins. In this context, hibernating species preserve their lean body mass, including muscles, despite total physical inactivity and low energy consumption during torpor, a state of drastic reduction in metabolic rate associated with a more or less pronounced hypothermia. The present review introduces metabolic, physiological, and behavioral adaptations, e.g., energetics, body temperature, and nutrition, of the torpor or hibernation phenotype from small to large mammals. Hibernating strategies could be linked to allometry aspects, the need for periodic rewarming from torpor, and/or the ability of animals to fast for more or less time, thus determining the capacity of individuals to save proteins. Both fat- and food-storing hibernators rely mostly on their body fat reserves during the torpid state, while minimizing body protein utilization. A number of them may also replenish lost proteins during arousals by consuming food. The review takes stock of the physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that promote body protein and muscle sparing during the inactive state of hibernation. Finally, the review outlines how the detailed understanding of these mechanisms at play in various hibernators is expected to provide innovative solutions to fight human muscle atrophy, to better help the management of obese patients, or to improve the ex vivo preservation of organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Bertile
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, Strasbourg, France
| | - Caroline Habold
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Ecology, Physiology & Ethology Department, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yvon Le Maho
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Ecology, Physiology & Ethology Department, Strasbourg, France.,Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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30
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González-Bernardo E, Bombieri G, Mar Delgado MD, Penteriani V. The role of spring temperatures in the den exit of female brown bears with cubs in southwestern Europe. URSUS 2020. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-19-00015.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity, UMIB (CSIC/UO/PA), E-33600 Mieres, Spain
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31
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Abstract
Ambient temperature (Ta ) is an important factor in shaping phenotypic plasticity. Plasticity is generally beneficial for animals in adapting to their environments. Gut microbiota are crucial in regulating host physiological and behavioral processes. However, whether the gut microbiota play a role in regulating host phenotypic plasticity under the conditions of repeated fluctuations in environmental factors has rarely been examined. We used intermittent Ta acclimations to test the hypothesis that the plasticity of gut microbiota confers on the host a metabolic adaptation to Ta fluctuations. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were acclimated to intermittent 5°C to 23°C, 37°C to 23°C or 23°C to 23°C conditions for 3 cycles (totally 3 months). Intermittent Ta acclimations induced variations in resting metabolic rate (RMR), serum thyroid hormones, and core body temperature (Tb ). We further identified that the β-diversity of the microbial community varied with Ta and showed diverse responses during the 3 cycles. Some specific bacteria were more sensitive to Ta and were associated with host dynamic metabolic plasticity during Ta acclimations. In addition, depletion of gut microbiota in antibiotic-treated gerbils impaired metabolic plasticity, particularly at low Ta , whereas supplementation with propionate as an energy resource improved the inhibited thermogenic capacity and increased the survival rate in the cold. These findings demonstrate that both gut microbiota and their host were more adaptive after repeated acclimations, and dynamic gut microbiota and their metabolites may confer host plasticity in thermoregulation in response to Ta fluctuations. It also implies that low Ta is a crucial cue in driving symbiosis between mammals and their gut microbiota during evolution.IMPORTANCE Whether gut microbiota play a role in regulating host phenotypic plasticity in small mammals living in seasonal environments has rarely been examined. The present study, through an intermittent temperature acclimation model, indicates that both gut microbiota and their host were more adaptive after repeated acclimations. It also demonstrates that dynamic gut microbiota confer host plasticity in thermoregulation in response to intermittent temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, low temperature seems to be a crucial cue in driving the symbiosis between mammals and their gut microbiota during evolution.
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32
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Honda T, Kozakai C. Mechanisms of human-black bear conflicts in Japan: In preparation for climate change. Sci Total Environ 2020; 739:140028. [PMID: 32758947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have reported effects of global climate change on wildlife, including changes in species distributions and population sizes but perspectives on interactions between the biosphere and the anthroposphere are limited. Bears have a worldwide range and often come into conflict with humans. We assessed the effects of weather variables including temperature, precipitation, and sunshine on human-bear conflicts. Given that the relationship between climate and bear physiology is poorly understood, we first conducted an exploratory analysis using regression techniques. We then built a final predictive model using generalized linear mixed modelling and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC)-based model selection. Our model highlighted the influence of cold temperatures during denning on the frequency of human-bear conflicts. Cold temperatures during denning are related to increased energy requirements for thermoregulation. It is likely that the resulting increase in demand for food following denning leads to an increase in human-bear conflicts. Our results also indicate that cool springs, lingering winter snowpacks, and hot summers may increase human-bear conflicts due to associated reductions in key food sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Honda
- Yamanashi Prefecture Agricultural Research Center, 1100, Shimoimai, Kai, Japan.
| | - Chinatsu Kozakai
- Central Region Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 2-1-18 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Japan
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Crupi AP, Gregovich DP, White KS. Steep and deep: Terrain and climate factors explain brown bear (Ursus arctos) alpine den site selection to guide heli-skiing management. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238711. [PMID: 32966287 PMCID: PMC7511016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Winter recreation and tourism continue to expand worldwide, and where these activities overlap with valuable wildlife habitat, there is greater potential for conservation concerns. Wildlife populations can be particularly vulnerable to disturbance in alpine habitats as helicopters and snowmachines are increasingly used to access remote backcountry terrain. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) have adapted hibernation strategies to survive this period when resources and energy reserves are limited, and disturbance could negatively impact fitness and survival. To help identify areas of potential conflict between helicopter skiing and denning brown bears in Alaska, we developed a model to predict alpine denning habitat and an associated data-based framework for mitigating disturbance activities. Following den emergence in spring, we conducted three annual aerial surveys (2015-2017) and used locations from three GPS-collared bears (2008-2014) to identify 89 brown bear dens above the forest line. We evaluated brown bear den site selection of land cover, terrain, and climate factors using resource selection function (RSF) models. Our top model supported the hypothesis that bears selected dens based on terrain and climate factors that maximized thermal efficiency. Brown bears selected den sites characterized by steep slopes at moderate elevations in smooth, well-drained topographies that promoted vegetation and deep snow. We used the RSF model to map relative probability of den selection and found 85% of dens occurred within terrain predicted as prime denning habitat. Brown bear exposure to helicopter disturbance was evident as moderate to high intensities of helicopter flight tracking data overlapped prime denning habitat, and we quantified where the risk of these impact was greatest. We also documented evidence of late season den abandonment due to disturbance from helicopter skiing. The results from this study provide valuable insights into bear denning habitat requirements in subalpine and alpine landscapes. Our quantitative framework can be used to support conservation planning for winter recreation industries operating in habitats occupied by denning brown bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P. Crupi
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Douglas, Alaska, United States of America
| | - David P. Gregovich
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Douglas, Alaska, United States of America
| | - Kevin S. White
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Douglas, Alaska, United States of America
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Abstract
Captive grizzly bears, like their wild counterparts, engage in considerable variability in their seasonal and daily activity. We documented the year-long activity of two grizzly bears located at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. We found that behaviors emerged in relation to month-to-month, seasonal, and time of day (hour-to-hour) observations, and events that occurred on exhibit, such as daily feedings. Seventeen behaviors split into seven classes of behavior were observed during their on-exhibit time over a 13-month period. Inactivity was the most frequent class of responses recorded, with most inactive behaviors occurring during the winter months. Both stereotypic and non-stereotypic activity emerged during the spring and summer months, with stereotypic activity occurring most frequently in the morning and transitioning to non-stereotypic activity in the latter part of the day. Results are discussed with respect to how captive grizzly bear behaviors relate to their natural seasonal and daily activity, as well as how events, such as feeding times and enrichment deliveries, can be used to optimize overall captive bear welfare.
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Shiratsuru S, Friebe A, Swenson JE, Zedrosser A. Room without a view-Den excavation in relation to body size in brown bears. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8044-8054. [PMID: 32788960 PMCID: PMC7417226 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hibernation is an adaptive strategy to survive harsh winter conditions and food shortage. The use of well-insulated winter dens helps animals minimize energy loss during hibernation. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) commonly use excavated dens for hibernation. Physical attributes of excavated dens are expected to impact the bear's heat retention and energy conservation. The objective of this study was to examine the determinants of cavity size of excavated dens and the impact of physical attributes of excavated dens on energy conservation in hibernating bears, hypothesizing that bears excavate dens in a way to minimize heat loss and optimize energy conservation during hibernation. We predicted that den cavity size would be determined by the bear's body size and that older bears would excavate better-fitting cavities to minimize heat loss, due to their previous experience. We further predicted that physical attributes of excavated dens would affect the bears' posthibernation body condition. Our results revealed that bears excavated a den cavity in relation to their body size, regardless of sex, and that older bears tended to excavate better-fitting den cavities compared to young bears, as we expected. Older bears excavated better-fitting den cavities, suggesting a potentially experience-based shift with age in den-excavation behavior and an optimum cavity size relative to a bear's body size. Our key finding is that insulation of excavated dens provided by wall/rood thickness and bedding materials had a significant positive effect on bears' posthibernation body condition. We believe that our study provides new insight into how not only the quality of denning habitat, but also the quality of dens may affect hibernating animals, by presenting a potential adaptive aspect of den preparation (age effect on efficiency in den excavation) and effect of den attributes on the posthibernation body condition of brown bears.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Scandinavian Brown Bear Research ProjectOrsaSweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental HealthUniversity of South‐Eastern NorwayTelemarkNorway
- Department of Integrative BiologyInstitute of Wildlife Biology and Game ManagementUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
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González-Bernardo E, Russo LF, Valderrábano E, Fernández Á, Penteriani V. Denning in brown bears. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6844-6862. [PMID: 32724555 PMCID: PMC7381752 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hibernation represents an adaptation for coping with unfavorable environmental conditions. For brown bears Ursus arctos, hibernation is a critical period as pronounced temporal reductions in several physiological functions occur.Here, we review the three main aspects of brown bear denning: (1) den chronology, (2) den characteristics, and (3) hibernation physiology in order to identify (a) proximate and ultimate factors of hibernation as well as (b) research gaps and conservation priorities.Den chronology, which varies by sex and reproductive status, depends on environmental factors, such as snow, temperature, food availability, and den altitude. Significant variation in hibernation across latitudes occurs for both den entry and exit.The choice of a den and its surroundings may affect individual fitness, for example, loss of offspring and excessive energy consumption. Den selection is the result of broad- and fine-scale habitat selection, mainly linked to den insulation, remoteness, and availability of food in the surroundings of the den location.Hibernation is a metabolic challenge for the brown bears, in which a series of physiological adaptations in tissues and organs enable survival under nutritional deprivation, maintain high levels of lipids, preserve muscle, and bone and prevent cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis. It is important to understand: (a) proximate and ultimate factors in denning behavior and the difference between actual drivers of hibernation (i.e., factors to which bears directly respond) and their correlates; (b) how changes in climatic factors might affect the ability of bears to face global climate change and the human-mediated changes in food availability; (c) hyperphagia (period in which brown bears accumulate fat reserves), predenning and denning periods, including for those populations in which bears do not hibernate every year; and (d) how to approach the study of bear denning merging insights from different perspectives, that is, physiology, ecology, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique González-Bernardo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC) Zaragoza Spain
| | - Luca Francesco Russo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
- Department of Biosciences and the Territory Università degli Studi del Molise Pesche Italy
| | - Esther Valderrábano
- COPAR Research Group Faculty of Veterinary University of Santiago de Compostela Lugo Spain
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Geiser F. Seasonal Expression of Avian and Mammalian Daily Torpor and Hibernation: Not a Simple Summer-Winter Affair †. Front Physiol 2020; 11:436. [PMID: 32508673 PMCID: PMC7251182 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Daily torpor and hibernation (multiday torpor) are the most efficient means for energy conservation in endothermic birds and mammals and are used by many small species to deal with a number of challenges. These include seasonal adverse environmental conditions and low food/water availability, periods of high energetic demands, but also reduced foraging options because of high predation pressure. Because such challenges differ among regions, habitats and food consumed by animals, the seasonal expression of torpor also varies, but the seasonality of torpor is often not as clear-cut as is commonly assumed and differs between hibernators and daily heterotherms expressing daily torpor exclusively. Hibernation is found in mammals from all three subclasses from the arctic to the tropics, but is known for only one bird. Several hibernators can hibernate for an entire year or express torpor throughout the year (8% of species) and more hibernate from late summer to spring (14%). The most typical hibernation season is the cold season from fall to spring (48%), whereas hibernation is rarely restricted to winter (6%). In hibernators, torpor expression changes significantly with season, with strong seasonality mainly found in the sciurid and cricetid rodents, but seasonality is less pronounced in the marsupials, bats and dormice. Daily torpor is diverse in both mammals and birds, typically is not as seasonal as hibernation and torpor expression does not change significantly with season. Torpor in spring/summer has several selective advantages including: energy and water conservation, facilitation of reproduction or growth during development with limited resources, or minimisation of foraging and thus exposure to predators. When torpor is expressed in spring/summer it is usually not as deep and long as in winter, because of higher ambient temperatures, but also due to seasonal functional plasticity. Unlike many other species, subtropical nectarivorous blossom-bats and desert spiny mice use more frequent and pronounced torpor in summer than in winter, which is related to seasonal availability of nectar or water. Thus, seasonal use of torpor is complex and differs among species and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Geiser
- Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology CO2, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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Græsli AR, Thiel A, Fuchs B, Singh NJ, Stenbacka F, Ericsson G, Neumann W, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Seasonal Hypometabolism in Female Moose. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeppe Have Rasmussen
- Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University Galveston Galveston TX USA
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Institute of Behavioural Physiology Dummerstorf Germany
| | - Katrina Rosenberger
- Center for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs Agroscope Tänikon Switzerland
| | - Jan Langbein
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Institute of Behavioural Physiology Dummerstorf Germany
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40
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Gámez-Brunswick C, Rojas-Soto O. The effect of seasonal variation on the activity patterns of the American black bear: an ecological niche modeling approach. MAMMALIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2019-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe American black bear (Ursus americanus) has very plastic activity patterns that maximize its ability to adapt to changing environments. Hibernation length is positively correlated with latitude, where northern populations remain in hibernation for up to 5 months during the winter; however, the species may not hibernate at all in its southern range. Several studies have focused on the description of the species’ ecology from specific locations; however, the macroecological perspective of the seasonal activity in black bears has not been explored. Using ecological niche models and temporal climate transfers, we tested for a correlation between the 971 monthly activity records we obtained for this species within its whole distribution and monthly climatic conditions. We observed that there was a high degree of geographic overlap among the monthly potential transferred areas and the monthly presence locality records. Thus, we suggest that climate is one of the main factors affecting the cycles of activity of this species and explains its hibernation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Gámez-Brunswick
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Laboratorio de Bioclimatología, Instituto de Ecología, A. C., km 2.5 Antigua Carretera a Coatepec no. 351, Xalapa91070, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Octavio Rojas-Soto
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Laboratorio de Bioclimatología, Instituto de Ecología, A. C., km 2.5 Antigua Carretera a Coatepec no. 351, Xalapa91070, Veracruz, Mexico
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41
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Abstract
Studies describing the diet of omnivorous species are abundant, but the drivers affecting the balance between animal and plant resources remain unclear. Among those drivers, latitude has been reported to positively correlate with the trophic position of consumers. Using stable isotope analysis, we tested the hypothesis that trophic position of black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) is positively correlated with latitude in eastern North America. We sampled 57 bears over a 15° latitudinal gradient in Quebec, Canada, and used stable isotope analysis to assess individual trophic position and metrics of dietary niches. We found a strong positive correlation between trophic position of bears and latitude (r2 = 0.76), which persisted throughout seasons. The width of the dietary niche of bears also appeared to follow a latitudinal pattern, even though bears foraging at the southernmost part of the gradient also showed a wide dietary niche. The impact of latitude on the foraging tactic of omnivores fosters our understanding of their capability to deal with contrasting environmental conditions, especially for species whose distribution ranges are expanding due to climate change. The flexibility of black bear foraging tactic likely allows this species to expand its geographical distribution range toward northern habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Bonin
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christian Dussault
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Direction de l’expertise sur la faune terrestre, l’herpétofaune et l’avifaune, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, 880, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC G1S 4X4, Canada
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Græsli AR, Le Grand L, Thiel A, Fuchs B, Devineau O, Stenbacka F, Neumann W, Ericsson G, Singh NJ, Laske TG, Beumer LT, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. Physiological and behavioural responses of moose to hunting with dogs. Conserv Physiol 2020; 8:coaa122. [PMID: 33408867 PMCID: PMC7772614 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Optimal management of hunted species requires an understanding of the impacts of hunting on both individual animal and population levels. Recent technological advancements in biologging enable us to obtain increasingly detailed information from free-ranging animals, covering longer periods of time, and providing the data needed to assess such impacts. In Sweden, more than 80 000 moose are harvested annually, mostly hunted with the use of baying dogs. The effects of this hunting method on animal welfare and stress are understudied. Here, we evaluated 6 real and 17 experimental hunting approaches with baying dogs [wearing global positioning system (GPS) collars] on 8 adult female moose equipped with ruminal temperature loggers, subcutaneous heart rate (HR) loggers and GPS collars with accelerometers. The obtained data were used to analyse the behavioural and physiological responses of moose to hunting with dogs. Successful experimental approaches (moose and dog were within 240 m for >10 min) resulted in higher maximum body temperature (Tb, 0.88°C higher) and a mean increase in HR of 24 bpm in moose at the day of the approach compared to the day after. The moose rested on average >90 min longer the day after the approach compared to the day of the approach. The moose travelled on average 4.2 km longer and had a 1.3 m/s higher maximum speed the day of the approach compared to the day after. Our results demonstrate that hunting with dogs increase moose energy expenditure and resting time (and consequently decrease time available for foraging) on an individual level. This could possibly affect body condition and reproduction rates if the hunting disturbances occur frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Randi Græsli
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Corresponding author: Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway.
| | - Luc Le Grand
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Olivier Devineau
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Fredrik Stenbacka
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Wiebke Neumann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Ericsson
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Navinder J Singh
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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Langendorf RE, Doak DF. Can Community Structure Causally Determine Dynamics of Constituent Species? A Test Using a Host-Parasite Community. Am Nat 2019; 194:E66-E80. [PMID: 31553220 DOI: 10.1086/704182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Structures of communities have been widely studied with the assumption that they not only are a useful bookkeeping tool but also can causally influence dynamics of the populations from which they emerge. However, convincing tests of this assumption have remained elusive because generally the only way to alter a community property is by manipulating its constituent populations, thereby preventing independent measurements of effects on those populations. There is a growing body of evidence that methods like convergent cross-mapping (CCM) can be used to make inferences about causal interactions using state space reconstructions of coupled time series, a method that relies on only observational data. Here we show that CCM can be used to test the causal effects of community properties using a well-studied Slovakian rodent-ectoparasite community. CCM identified causal drivers across the organizational scales of this community, including evidence that host dynamics were influenced by the degree to which the community at large was connected and clustered. Our findings add to the growing literature on the importance of community structures in disease dynamics and argue for a broader use of causal inference in the analysis of community dynamics.
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Jansen HT, Trojahn S, Saxton MW, Quackenbush CR, Evans Hutzenbiler BD, Nelson OL, Cornejo OE, Robbins CT, Kelley JL. Hibernation induces widespread transcriptional remodeling in metabolic tissues of the grizzly bear. Commun Biol 2019; 2:336. [PMID: 31531397 PMCID: PMC6744400 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0574-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Revealing the mechanisms underlying the reversible physiology of hibernation could have applications to both human and animal health as hibernation is often associated with disease-like states. The present study uses RNA-sequencing to reveal the tissue and seasonal transcriptional changes occurring in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). Comparing hibernation to other seasons, bear adipose has a greater number of differentially expressed genes than liver and skeletal muscle. During hyperphagia, adipose has more than 900 differentially expressed genes compared to active season. Hibernation is characterized by reduced expression of genes associated with insulin signaling, muscle protein degradation, and urea production, and increased expression within muscle protein anabolic pathways. Across all three tissues we find a subset of shared differentially expressed genes, some of which are uncharacterized, that together may reflect a common regulatory mechanism. The identified gene families could be useful for developing novel therapeutics to treat human and animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko T. Jansen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Shawn Trojahn
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Michael W. Saxton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Corey R. Quackenbush
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Brandon D. Evans Hutzenbiler
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - O. Lynne Nelson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Omar E. Cornejo
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Charles T. Robbins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Joanna L. Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
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Chazarin B, Ziemianin A, Evans AL, Meugnier E, Loizon E, Chery I, Arnemo JM, Swenson JE, Gauquelin-Koch G, Simon C, Blanc S, Lefai E, Bertile F. Limited Oxidative Stress Favors Resistance to Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Hibernating Brown Bears ( Ursus Arctos). Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8090334. [PMID: 31443506 PMCID: PMC6770786 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8090334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, which is believed to promote muscle atrophy, has been reported to occur in a few hibernators. However, hibernating bears exhibit efficient energy savings and muscle protein sparing, despite long-term physical inactivity and fasting. We hypothesized that the regulation of the oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative stress could favor skeletal muscle maintenance in hibernating brown bears. We showed that increased expressions of cold-inducible proteins CIRBP and RBM3 could favor muscle mass maintenance and alleviate oxidative stress during hibernation. Downregulation of the subunits of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain complexes I, II, and III, and antioxidant enzymes, possibly due to the reduced mitochondrial content, indicated a possible reduction of the production of reactive oxygen species in the hibernating muscle. Concomitantly, the upregulation of cytosolic antioxidant systems, under the control of the transcription factor NRF2, and the maintenance of the GSH/GSSG ratio suggested that bear skeletal muscle is not under a significant oxidative insult during hibernation. Accordingly, lower levels of oxidative damage were recorded in hibernating bear skeletal muscles. These results identify mechanisms by which limited oxidative stress may underlie the resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy in hibernating brown bears. They may constitute therapeutic targets for the treatment of human muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blandine Chazarin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-670000 Strasbourg, France
- Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES, F-75001 Paris, France
| | - Anna Ziemianin
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-670000 Strasbourg, France
- Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES, F-75001 Paris, France
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Emmanuelle Meugnier
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Emmanuelle Loizon
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Isabelle Chery
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-670000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Chantal Simon
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Stéphane Blanc
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-670000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Etienne Lefai
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
- Université d'Auvergne, INRA, UNH UMR1019, F-63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Fabrice Bertile
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-670000 Strasbourg, France.
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Liu PY, Cheng AC, Huang SW, Chang HW, Oshida T, Yu HT. Variations in Gut Microbiota of Siberian Flying Squirrels Correspond to Seasonal Phenological Changes in Their Hokkaido Subarctic Forest Ecosystem. Microb Ecol 2019; 78:223-231. [PMID: 30411188 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1278-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbial communities of animals are influenced by diet and seasonal weather changes. Since foraging strategies of wild animals are affected by phenological changes, gut microbial communities would differ among seasons. However, interactions of plant-animal-microbiota with seasonal changes have not been well characterized. Here, we surveyed gut microbial diversity of Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans orii) from a natural forest in Hokkaido during spring and summer of 2013 and 2014. Additionally, we compared microbial diversity to temperature changes and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Changes in both seasonal temperature and phenology were significantly associated with alterations in gut microbiota. There were two clusters of OTUs, below and above 20 °C that were significantly correlated with low and high temperatures, respectively. Low-temperature cluster OTUs belonged to various phyla, whereas the high-temperature cluster was only constituted by Firmicutes. In conclusion, gut microbiota of Siberian flying squirrels varied with environmental changes on an ecological scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Yu Liu
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - An-Chi Cheng
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shiao-Wei Huang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hao-Wei Chang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Division of Biology and Biomedical Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Tatsuo Oshida
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Hon-Tsen Yu
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Tomasi
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - Briana N Anderson
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - Theodore Garland
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California – Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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48
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Chazarin B, Storey KB, Ziemianin A, Chanon S, Plumel M, Chery I, Durand C, Evans AL, Arnemo JM, Zedrosser A, Swenson JE, Gauquelin-Koch G, Simon C, Blanc S, Lefai E, Bertile F. Metabolic reprogramming involving glycolysis in the hibernating brown bear skeletal muscle. Front Zool 2019; 16:12. [PMID: 31080489 PMCID: PMC6503430 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0312-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mammals, the hibernating state is characterized by biochemical adjustments, which include metabolic rate depression and a shift in the primary fuel oxidized from carbohydrates to lipids. A number of studies of hibernating species report an upregulation of the levels and/or activity of lipid oxidizing enzymes in muscles during torpor, with a concomitant downregulation for glycolytic enzymes. However, other studies provide contrasting data about the regulation of fuel utilization in skeletal muscles during hibernation. Bears hibernate with only moderate hypothermia but with a drop in metabolic rate down to ~ 25% of basal metabolism. To gain insights into how fuel metabolism is regulated in hibernating bear skeletal muscles, we examined the vastus lateralis proteome and other changes elicited in brown bears during hibernation. Results We show that bear muscle metabolic reorganization is in line with a suppression of ATP turnover. Regulation of muscle enzyme expression and activity, as well as of circulating metabolite profiles, highlighted a preference for lipid substrates during hibernation, although the data suggested that muscular lipid oxidation levels decreased due to metabolic rate depression. Our data also supported maintenance of muscle glycolysis that could be fuelled from liver gluconeogenesis and mobilization of muscle glycogen stores. During hibernation, our data also suggest that carbohydrate metabolism in bear muscle, as well as protein sparing, could be controlled, in part, by actions of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid. Conclusions Our work shows that molecular mechanisms in hibernating bear skeletal muscle, which appear consistent with a hypometabolic state, likely contribute to energy and protein savings. Maintenance of glycolysis could help to sustain muscle functionality for situations such as an unexpected exit from hibernation that would require a rapid increase in ATP production for muscle contraction. The molecular data we report here for skeletal muscles of bears hibernating at near normal body temperature represent a signature of muscle preservation despite atrophying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blandine Chazarin
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.,10Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES, F-75001 Paris, France
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- 2Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - Anna Ziemianin
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.,10Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES, F-75001 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Chanon
- 3CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Marine Plumel
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabelle Chery
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Durand
- 3CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Alina L Evans
- 4Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- 4Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway.,5Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- 6Department of Environmental and Health Studies, University College of Southeast Norway, N-3800 Bø, Telemark Norway.,7Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jon E Swenson
- 8Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.,9Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Chantal Simon
- 3CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France
| | - Stephane Blanc
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Etienne Lefai
- 3CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRA 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France.,Université d'Auvergne, INRA, UNH UMR1019, F-63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Fabrice Bertile
- 1Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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Giroud S, Chery I, Bertile F, Bertrand-Michel J, Tascher G, Gauquelin-Koch G, Arnemo JM, Swenson JE, Singh NJ, Lefai E, Evans AL, Simon C, Blanc S. Lipidomics Reveals Seasonal Shifts in a Large-Bodied Hibernator, the Brown Bear. Front Physiol 2019; 10:389. [PMID: 31031634 PMCID: PMC6474398 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior to winter, heterotherms retain polyunsaturated fatty acids (“PUFA”), resulting in enhanced energy savings during hibernation, through deeper and longer torpor bouts. Hibernating bears exhibit a less dramatic reduction (2–5°C) in body temperature, but lower their metabolism to a degree close to that of small hibernators. We determined the lipid composition, via lipidomics, in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissues (“WAT”), to assess lipid retention, and in blood plasma, to reflect lipid trafficking, of winter hibernating and summer active wild Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos). We found that the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle of bears was significantly higher during winter. During hibernation, omega-3 PUFAs were retained in WAT and short-length fatty acids were released into the plasma. The analysis of individual lipid moieties indicated significant changes of specific fatty acids, which are in line with the observed seasonal shift in the major lipid categories and can be involved in specific regulations of metabolisms. These results strongly suggest that the shift in lipid composition is well conserved among hibernators, independent of body mass and of the animals’ body temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabelle Chery
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Fabrice Bertile
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Georg Tascher
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Navinder J Singh
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Etienne Lefai
- CARMEN, INSERM U1060, University of Lyon, INRA U1235, Oullins, France
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Chantal Simon
- CARMEN, INSERM U1060, University of Lyon, INRA U1235, Oullins, France
| | - Stéphane Blanc
- IPHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,UMR7178, CNRS, Strasbourg, France
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50
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Berman EE, Coops NC, Kearney SP, Stenhouse GB. Grizzly bear response to fine spatial and temporal scale spring snow cover in Western Alberta. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215243. [PMID: 30970010 PMCID: PMC6457671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snow dynamics influence seasonal behaviors of wildlife, such as denning patterns and habitat selection related to the availability of food resources. Under a changing climate, characteristics of the temporal and spatial patterns of snow are predicted to change, and as a result, there is a need to better understand how species interact with snow dynamics. This study examines grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) spring habitat selection and use across western Alberta, Canada. Made possible by newly available fine-scale snow cover data, this research tests a hypothesis that grizzly bears select for locations with less snow cover and areas where snow melts sooner during spring (den emergence to May 31st). Using Integrated Step Selection Analysis, a series of models were built to examine whether snow cover information such as fractional snow covered area and date of snow melt improved models constructed based on previous knowledge of grizzly bear selection during the spring. Comparing four different models fit to 62 individual bear-years, we found that the inclusion of fractional snow covered area improved model fit 60% of the time based on Akaike Information Criterion tallies. Probability of use was then used to evaluate grizzly bear habitat use in response to snow and environmental attributes, including fractional snow covered area, date since snow melt, elevation, and distance to road. Results indicate grizzly bears select for lower elevation, snow-free locations during spring, which has important implications for management of threatened grizzly bear populations in consideration of changing climatic conditions. This study is an example of how fine spatial and temporal scale remote sensing data can be used to improve our understanding of wildlife habitat selection and use in relation to key environmental attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan E. Berman
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sean P. Kearney
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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