Annual and seasonal variation of survival rates in the garden dormouse (<i>Eliomys quercinus</i>)

Schaub, Michael; Vaterlaus-Schlegel, Christian

doi:10.1017/s0952836901001133

Cited by 41 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Indeed, monthly overwinter survival in adult dormice was 96-98% in our study. In the larger garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus (Schaub and Vaterlaus-Schlegel 2001), and edible dormouse, Glis glis (Lebl et al 2011), survival during hibernation was also estimated to be close to 100% (both studies used the program MARK for survival estimates). Our results, however, diVer from the low winter survival probabilities reported for common dormice in earlier studies (reviewed in Junkaitis 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High survival during hibernation affects onset and timing of reproduction

et al. 2011

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The timing of reproduction is one of the most crucial life history traits, with enormous consequences for the fitness of an individual. We investigated the effects of season and timing of birth on local survival probability in a small mammalian hibernator, the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Local monthly survival probability was lowest in the early active season (May-August, ϕ(adult) = 0.75-0.88, ϕ(juvenile) = 0.61-0.68), increased during the late active season (August-October), and highest during hibernation (October-May, ϕ(adult) = 0.96-0.98, ϕ(juvenile) = 0.81-0.94). Consequently, dormice had an extremely high winter survival probability. We observed two peaks in the timing of reproduction (June and August/September, respectively), with the majority of juveniles born late in the active season. Although early investment in reproduction seems the better life history tactic [survival probability until onset of reproduction: ϕ(born early) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.64; ϕ(born late) = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09-0.28], only females with a good body condition (significantly higher body mass) invest in reproduction early in the year. We suggest the high over-winter survival in dormice allows for a unique life history pattern (i.e., combining slow and fast life history tactics), which leads to a bimodal seasonal birth pattern: (1) give birth as early as possible to allow even the young to breed before hibernating, and/or (2) give birth as late as possible (leaving just enough time for these young to fatten) and enter directly into a period associated with the highest survival rates (hibernation) until maturity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High survival during hibernation affects onset and timing of reproduction

et al. 2011

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“…Since females actually emerge from hibernation with a lower body mass than males (Schmid 1999) as Schü lke & Ostner (2007) already pointed out, resource scarcity (food and/or water) is unlikely to be the ultimate cause why females choose to sleep through a large part of the dry season. Indeed, a constant and high level of overwinter survival relative to breeding season survival has been reported for many species where both sexes undergo obligate hibernation (Michener & Locklear 1990;Millesi et al 1999;Neuhaus & Pelletier 2001;Schaub & Vaterlaus-Schlegel 2001;Meaney et al 2003;Sendor & Simon 2003;Smith & Nichols 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The costs of risky male behaviour: sex differences in seasonal survival in a small sexually monomorphic primate

2008

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Male excess mortality is widespread among mammals and frequently interpreted as a cost of sexually selected traits that enhance male reproductive success. Sex differences in the propensity to engage in risky behaviours are often invoked to explain the sex gap in survival. Here, we aim to isolate and quantify the survival consequences of two potentially risky male behavioural strategies in a small sexually monomorphic primate, the grey mouse lemur Microcebus murinus: (i) most females hibernate during a large part of the austral winter, whereas most males remain active and (ii) during the brief annual mating season males roam widely in search of receptive females. Using a 10-year capture-mark-recapture dataset from a population of M. murinus in Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar, we statistically modelled sexspecific seasonal survival probabilities. Surprisingly, we did not find any evidence for direct survival benefits of hibernation-winter survival did not differ between males and females. By contrast, during the breeding season males survived less well than females (sex gap: 16%). Consistent with the 'risky male behaviour' hypothesis, the period for lowered male survival was restricted to the short mating season. Thus, sex differences in survival in a promiscuous mammal can be substantial even in the absence of sexual dimorphism.

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“…Nevertheless, there are conflicting results for over‐winter survival of hibernating small mammals (e.g. Arnold 1990; Fleming 1979; Schaub & Vaterlaus‐Schlegel 2001). Schaub & Vaterlaus‐Schlegel (2001), in their study on garden dormice ( Eliomys quercinus L.), argue that these animals are sufficiently well adapted to typical European winter conditions to survive the hibernal period with a high probability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arnold 1990; Fleming 1979; Schaub & Vaterlaus‐Schlegel 2001). Schaub & Vaterlaus‐Schlegel (2001), in their study on garden dormice ( Eliomys quercinus L.), argue that these animals are sufficiently well adapted to typical European winter conditions to survive the hibernal period with a high probability. Mammalian species with reduced winter survival, in contrast, were usually studied in extreme habitats with a prolonged winter and/or unpredictable environmental conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics of the pipistrelle bat: effects of sex, age and winter weather on seasonal survival

Sendor

Simon

2003

Journal of Animal Ecology

105

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Summary1. Life-history theory assumes increased mortality at certain stages such as hibernation. However, seasonal variation of survival rates of hibernating mammals has rarely been estimated. In this study, apparent survival of pipistrelle bats ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus ) hibernating and performing summer swarming at a large hibernaculum (Marburg Castle, Hesse, Germany), was modelled using seasonal (summer/winter) capturerecapture data for the years 1996-2000. The spring survival interval includes the period of arousal at the end of hibernation and therefore validly measures survival associated with hibernation. 2. In five summers and four winters, 15 839 bats were captured and released (13 082 individuals) and 3403 recaptures recorded. Analysis was complicated by transience and trap-dependence. Recapture rates varied seasonally and by group. The autumnal survival estimates were negatively biased due to transience effects that could not be taken into account. 3. Survival could be modelled using two age-classes, with reduced first-year juvenile survival. The age effect persisted over the first autumn and spring. There was virtually no evidence for sex-specific survival rates; male and female survival were found to be almost equal. In the best-fitting models, survival rates varied over time and differed among sexes and age-classes by a constant amount. Between years, there was only a small variation in spring survival, which could not be explained by winter severity. 4. Adult spring survival was surprisingly high, averaging 0·892 ( T = 0·028). No evidence for increased mortality during hibernation could be found. This contradicted the expectation of reduced over-winter survival due to depleted fat reserves at the end of hibernation. Thus, hibernation does apparently not entail a survival cost for the pipistrelle bat. Rough estimates of annual adult survival averaged 0·799 ( T = 0·051), which considerably exceeds previous estimates; annual juvenile survival was estimated at 0·527 ( T = 0·095). Hence, previous studies have substantially underestimated pipistrelle bat survival. Possible consequences of these findings for various aspects of life histories are discussed.

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Annual and seasonal variation of survival rates in the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus)

Cited by 41 publications

References 31 publications

High survival during hibernation affects onset and timing of reproduction

High survival during hibernation affects onset and timing of reproduction

The costs of risky male behaviour: sex differences in seasonal survival in a small sexually monomorphic primate

Population dynamics of the pipistrelle bat: effects of sex, age and winter weather on seasonal survival

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