Population dynamics of Dromiciops gliroides (Microbiotheriidae) in an austral temperate forest

Oliver, Agustina Balazote; Amico, Guillermo C.; Rivarola, Maria Daniela; Morales, Juan Manuel

doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyx051

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The transition from endothermy to heterothermy is characterized by passive cooling after a sudden reduction in MR, to a limit of about 1–2°C, when monitos start defending T b by active thermoregulation ( Figure 4B ). It is highly likely that monitos hibernate at freezing temperatures, since several populations in Chile and Argentina are distributed in Andean locations where temperatures go below zero in winter ( Balazote-Oliver et al, 2017 ; Valladares-Gómez et al, 2019 ). During torpor in monitos, usually T b remains one or two degrees above T a , and animals could spend several weeks in this condition, where MRs are of about 5% of normothermic values, heart frequency can reach 3 beats per minute and breathing frequency could be less than 1 per minute ( Nespolo et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Metabolic Adaptations During Torpor and Hibernationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms†

et al. 2021

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Torpor and hibernation are powerful strategies enabling animals to survive periods of low resource availability. The state of torpor results from an active and drastic reduction of an individual’s metabolic rate (MR) associated with a relatively pronounced decrease in body temperature. To date, several forms of torpor have been described in all three mammalian subclasses, i.e., monotremes, marsupials, and placentals, as well as in a few avian orders. This review highlights some of the characteristics, from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular aspects, associated with the torpor phenotype. The first part of this review focuses on the specific metabolic adaptations of torpor, as it is used by many species from temperate zones. This notably includes the endocrine changes involved in fat- and food-storing hibernating species, explaining biomedical implications of MR depression. We further compare adaptive mechanisms occurring in opportunistic vs. seasonal heterotherms, such as tropical and sub-tropical species. Such comparisons bring new insights into the metabolic origins of hibernation among tropical species, including resistance mechanisms to oxidative stress. The second section of this review emphasizes the mechanisms enabling heterotherms to protect their key organs against potential threats, such as reactive oxygen species, associated with the torpid state. We notably address the mechanisms of cellular rehabilitation and protection during torpor and hibernation, with an emphasis on the brain, a central organ requiring protection during torpor and recovery. Also, a special focus is given to the role of an ubiquitous and readily-diffusing molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in protecting against ischemia-reperfusion damage in various organs over the torpor-arousal cycle and during the torpid state. We conclude that (i) the flexibility of torpor use as an adaptive strategy enables different heterothermic species to substantially suppress their energy needs during periods of severely reduced food availability, (ii) the torpor phenotype implies marked metabolic adaptations from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular levels, and (iii) the torpid state is associated with highly efficient rehabilitation and protective mechanisms ensuring the continuity of proper bodily functions. Comparison of mechanisms in monotremes and marsupials is warranted for understanding the origin and evolution of mammalian torpor.

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Section: Metabolic Adaptations During Torpor and Hibernationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms†

et al. 2021

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“…Dromiciops individuals are well adapted to arboreal life; they have opposable thumbs on all four limbs, exhibiting great precision and agility when they move through the canopy. They can run vertically up the bark of the Nothofagus at speeds of up to 1 m/s and can leap with enormous precision between distant branches up to 1 m far (Balazote‐Oliver et al, 2017 ; Mejías et al, 2021 ). This is attained by visual and cerebellar adaptations to discriminate distances in absolute darkness (di Virgilio et al, 2014 ; Gurovich & Ashwell, 2020 ), and most likely given their Australidelphia trichromate condition (color vision in the ultraviolet‐infrared spectrum; Arrese et al, 2002 ).…”

Section: Updated Phylogeographic Affinities Within Dromiciopsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecology and evolution of the monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

Fontúrbel

Pérez

Bozinovic

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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The arboreal marsupial monito del monte (genus Dromiciops , with two recognized species) is a paradigmatic mammal. It is the sole living representative of the order Microbiotheria, the ancestor lineage of Australian marsupials. Also, this marsupial is the unique frugivorous mammal in the temperate rainforest, being the main seed disperser of several endemic plants of this ecosystem, thus acting as keystone species. Dromiciops is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, spending half of the year in a physiological dormancy where metabolism is reduced to 10% of normal levels. This capacity to reduce energy expenditure in winter contrasts with the enormous energy turnover rate they experience in spring and summer. The unique life history strategies of this living Microbiotheria, characterized by an alternation of life in the slow and fast lanes, putatively represent ancestral traits that permitted these cold‐adapted mammals to survive in this environment. Here, we describe the ecological role of this emblematic marsupial, summarizing the ecophysiology of hibernation and sociality, updated phylogeographic relationships, reproductive cycle, trophic relationships, mutualisms, conservation, and threats. This marsupial shows high densities, despite presenting slow reproductive rates, a paradox explained by the unique characteristics of its three‐dimensional habitat. We finally suggest immediate actions to protect these species that may be threatened in the near future due to habitat destruction and climate change.

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“…Dromiciops individuals are well adapted to arboreal life; they have opposable thumbs on all four limbs, exhibiting great precision and agility when they move through the canopy. They can run vertically up the bark of the Nothofagus at speeds of up to 1 m/s and can leap with enormous precision between distant branches up to one meter far (Balazote-Oliver, Amico, Rivarola, & Morales, 2017;Mejías et al, 2021). This is attained by visual and cerebellar adaptations to discriminate distances in absolute darkness (di Virgilio, Amico, & Morales, 2014;Gurovich & Ashwell, 2020), and most likely given their Australidelphia trichromate condition (colour vision in the ultraviolet-infrared spectrum; (Arrese, Hart, Thomas, Beazley, & Shand, 2002).…”

Section: Updated Phylogeographic Affinities Within Dromiciopsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The "conservative" reproduction of Dromiciops Although the basic biology of Dromiciops has been historically considered poorly known, this situation has drastically changed in the last decades, as several populations have been studied in detail by Latin American researchers (e.g., Balazote-Oliver et al, 2017;Celis-Diez et al, 2012;Fontúrbel, Franco, Rodríguez-Cabal, Rivarola, & Amico, 2012;Franco, Quijano, & Soto-Gamboa, 2011;Kelt, Meserve, Patterson, & Lang, 1999;Meserve, 1981;Meserve, Lang, & Patterson, 1988;Patterson, Meserve, & Lang, 1989). Inappropriate capture methods (Fontúrbel, 2010;Fontúrbel & Jiménez, 2009), but also lack of knowledge about its seasonal activity patterns led to a large underestimation of its densities (Fontúrbel & Jiménez, 2011;Franco et al, 2011;Nespolo, Verdugo, Cortes, & Bacigalupe, 2010).…”

Section: <Figure 3 About Here>mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historical descriptions (Hershkovitz, 1999;Mann, 1978;Muñoz-Pedreros, Lang, Bretos, & Meserve, 2005) indicate that Dromiciops is relatively long-lived, with reports of 5-6 years-old individuals captured in the field (Balazote-Oliver et al, 2017). According to Muñoz-Pedreros et al (2005), D. gliroides reproductive cycle is divided into seven stages.…”

Section: <Figure 3 About Here>mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecology and evolution of the Monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

Fontúrbel

Franco

Bozinovic

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The arboreal marsupial Monito del Monte (genus Dromiciops, with two recognized species) is a paradigmatic mammal. It is the sole living representative of the order Microbiotheria, the ancestor lineage of Australian marsupials. Also, this marsupial is the unique frugivorous mammal in the temperate rainforest, being the main seed disperser of several endemic plants of this ecosystem, thus acting as keystone species. Dromiciops is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, spending half of the year in a physiological dormancy where metabolism is reduced to 10% of normal levels. This capacity to reduce energy expenditure in winter contrasts with the enormous energy turnover rate they experience in spring and summer. The unique life-history strategies of this living Microbiotheria, characterized by an alternation of life in the slow and fast lanes, putatively represent ancestral traits that permitted these cold-adapted mammals to survive in this environment. Here we describe the ecological role of this emblematic marsupial, summarizing the ecophysiology of hibernation and sociality, actualized phylogeographic relationships, reproductive cycle, trophic relationships, mutualisms, conservation and threats. This marsupial shows high densities, despite presenting slow reproductive rates, a paradox that is explained by the unique characteristics of its three-dimensional habitat. We finally suggest immediate actions to protect these locally abundant but globally threatened species.

show abstract

Population dynamics of Dromiciops gliroides (Microbiotheriidae) in an austral temperate forest

Cited by 18 publications

References 34 publications

The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms†

The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms†

The ecology and evolution of the monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

The ecology and evolution of the Monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

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