Overwinter body temperature patterns in captive jerboas (Jaculus orientalis): influence of sex and group

Abstract

The jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) has been described in the past as a hibernator, but no reliable data exist on the daily and seasonal rhythmicity of body temperature (T (b)). In this study, T (b) patterns were determined in different groups of jerboas (isolated males and females, castrated males and grouped animals) maintained in captivity during autumn and winter, and submitted to natural variations of light and ambient temperature (T (a)). T (b) and T (a) variations were recorded with surgically implanted iButton temperature loggers at 30-min intervals for two consecutive years. About half (6/13) of isolated female jerboas hibernated with a T (b) < 33°C, with hibernation bouts interspersed with short periods of normothermy from November to February. Hibernation bout durations were longer (4-5 days) than those of normothermia phases (1-4 days). During hibernation, the minimum T (b) was low (T (b)min ~10.7°C). In contrast, one of the 12 isolated males showed short hibernation bouts of ca. 2 days late in the hibernation season, February-March. The males had T (b)min values of 15.1°C. In contrast to predictions, no castrated males hibernated. When jerboas were grouped, females and males exhibited concomitant torpor bouts. In males, the longest bouts were observed during the late hibernation season. These data suggest complex regulation of hibernation in jerboas.