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Body temperature in captive long-beaked echidnas (Zaglossus bartoni)
Gordon C Grigg1, Lyn A Beard, Julie A Barnes
1Department of Zoology and Entomology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. ggrigg@zoology.uq.edu.au
Summary
Long-beaked echidnas (Zaglossus) do not appear to hibernate, unlike short-beaked echidnas. Their body temperature remains stable, suggesting torpor is unlikely in wild adults.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Comparative Physiology
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Monotremes exhibit varied torpor strategies, with short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) displaying both daily torpor and hibernation, while platypus do not.
- The thermoregulatory behavior of Zaglossus, the third monotreme genus, remains largely uncharacterized, particularly concerning torpor and hibernation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermoregulatory patterns, specifically the occurrence of torpor and hibernation, in captive long-beaked echidnas (Zaglossus bartoni).
- To compare the thermal physiology of Zaglossus with that of Tachyglossus and platypus.
Main Methods:
- Implanted data loggers were used to continuously record body temperatures (T(b)) of two captive Zaglossus bartoni over 3.5 years.
- Body temperatures of two captive Tachyglossus aculeatus were concurrently monitored for comparison.
Main Results:
- The modal body temperature for Zaglossus bartoni was 31°C, consistent with normothermic monotremes.
- Zaglossus exhibited daily body temperature fluctuations (2-4°C) but no evidence of long-term torpor or hibernation.
- In contrast, Tachyglossus aculeatus displayed clear patterns of hibernation and short-term torpor during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Captive Zaglossus bartoni do not exhibit torpor or hibernation, suggesting this behavior is not characteristic of the genus.
- The large size and captive environment, which facilitated hibernation in short-beaked echidnas, make torpor in wild adult Zaglossus unlikely.