Hibernation body temperature record of an Alaka marmot, Marmota broweri [Enregistrerment de la température corporelle d'hibernation d'une marmotte d'Alaka, Marmota broweri].

Résumé

Little is known about the ecology or physiology of Marmota broweri which is endemic to Arctic Alaska. We located a hibernaculum in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range and implanted one female with a data logger in August 2007 to record body temperature (Tb) every 20 minutes. This female initiated heterothermy (Tb M. broweri appears to use communal hibernation as a strategy to maintain above-freezing body temperatures. These differences make this an interesting species in which to study adaptations to extreme conditions.