Metabolic Responses of Mammals to Temperature Anomalies Vary Across Climates
Juan G. Rubalcaba, Marta Correas‐ArausABSTRACT
Aim
Extreme temperature fluctuations are becoming more frequent under climate change, altering the energy and water balance of organisms. Species from different climatic regions may differ in their metabolic responses to such temperature anomalies due to contrasting thermoregulatory adaptations. Here, we examine how short‐term temperature anomalies influence metabolic requirements of mammals across broad climatic gradients.
Location
Global.
Time Period
1966–2007.
Major Taxa Studied
Mammals.
Methods
We compiled field metabolic rate (FMR) data from the literature, including 371 individuals representing 41 mammal species worldwide. For each measurement, we extracted monthly mean ambient temperature at the time and location of FMR collection using historical weather data and quantified temperature anomalies relative to long‐term monthly mean conditions. We modelled FMR as a function of temperature anomaly, long‐term mean temperature, and their interaction.
Results
Metabolic responses to temperature anomalies varied systematically across climatic regimes. Mammals from colder environments increased FMR during both negative (cold) and positive (heat) anomalies. In contrast, species from warmer environments showed increases in FMR during negative anomalies but no increase—or even decreases—in FMR during positive anomalies.
Main Conclusions
Mammalian metabolic responses to short‐term temperature anomalies are climate dependent, likely reflecting divergent adaptations to local thermal regimes. These findings highlight the importance of considering climatic context when predicting the energy consequences of increasing thermal extremes under climate change.