A mechanistic model of endotherm hibernation applied to the endangered mountain pygmy possum under climate change

Abstract

Hibernation is an important strategy used by many endotherms to conserve energy and water. Global warming is changing species' phenology and hibernation patterns, but whether such changes are beneficial or harmful depends on the species' life history traits, physiology, morphology, and behavior. Mechanistic niche models can be used to make strong inferences on such responses by explicitly quantifying the consequences of changed hibernation patterns for energy and water requirements. However, they have yet to be adapted to heterothermic species. Here, we address this problem by extending the endotherm biophysical model of the NicheMapR package to encompass torpor. This model accurately predic..