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Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions
Published on: March 9, 2021
Adaptations That Track Environmental Temperature Cues in Hibernation: Insights From Time-Series Transcriptomic
Xinyue Liu1, Changyi Zhang1, Siting Zhong1
1Research Center of Herpetology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
Integrative Zoology
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Hibernating turtles actively adjust gene expression to match environmental temperature changes, demonstrating adaptive strategies for survival. This research reveals key physiological adaptations during hibernation in Mauremys reevesii.
Area of Science:
- * Animal Physiology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Ecology
Background:
- * Organisms use environmental temperature cues to time life-history events and physiological adjustments.
- * Hibernation is a critical survival strategy for many animals facing seasonal cold and food scarcity.
- * Understanding adaptations to temperature cues in life-history events is crucial but remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the synchronization between physiological adaptations and environmental temperature cues during hibernation.
- * To analyze transcriptomic dynamics in hibernating Chinese three-keeled pond turtles (Mauremys reevesii) in relation to water temperature.
- * To reveal adaptive regulatory mechanisms underlying hibernation and phenology.
Main Methods:
- * Monthly hepatic transcriptomic profiling of Mauremys reevesii juveniles during field hibernation.
- * Correlation analysis of gene expression patterns with changing water temperatures.
- * Identification of gene sets associated with hibernation onset, deep hibernation, and emergence.
Main Results:
- * Transcriptomic profiles reflected distinct hibernation stages (onset, deep, end) corresponding to temperature fluctuations.
- * Upregulation of protective genes (anti-apoptosis, autophagy, mRNA stability) occurred before the coldest period.
- * Immune-related genes were suppressed during deep hibernation, and translational genes were pre-activated before emergence.
Conclusions:
- * Hibernating Mauremys reevesii exhibit active adaptive gene regulation in response to environmental temperature cues.
- * These findings highlight sophisticated physiological adjustments for synchronizing life-history events with seasonal changes.
- * The study provides a mechanistic framework for understanding climate change impacts on hibernation.
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