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Snow-mediated plasticity does not prevent camouflage mismatch.

Alexander V Kumar1,2, Marketa Zimova3, James R Sparks4

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Climate change reduces snow cover, impacting camouflage for snowshoe hares. While hares show some molt timing plasticity, it

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Climate Change Biology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Global climate change is reducing snow cover duration worldwide.
  • Seasonally molting species, like snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), rely on snow for camouflage.
  • Declining snow duration creates camouflage mismatch, potentially impacting survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate phenotypic plasticity in snowshoe hares' molt phenology and behavior in response to reduced snow cover.
  • To determine if plasticity can mitigate camouflage mismatch due to climate change.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified molt phenology in 200 wild snowshoe hares.
  • Measured microhabitat selection and local snow cover.
  • Assessed behavioral responses to coat color mismatch and environmental conditions.

Main Results:

  • Snowshoe hares exhibited plasticity in molt initiation and rate, directly influenced by snow cover.
  • Hares did not adjust behavior to minimize mismatch; they preferred snow-free areas regardless of coat color.
  • Camouflage mismatch persisted, particularly during early snowmelt, despite observed molt plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • Phenotypic plasticity in snowshoe hares' molt timing is insufficient to fully adapt to climate change-induced camouflage mismatch.
  • Behavioral adaptations do not currently compensate for the negative consequences of mismatch.
  • Snowshoe hares may face significant challenges surviving reduced snow cover durations.