The case of the missing mechanism: how does temperature influence seasonal timing in endotherms?

TY - JOUR

T1 - The case of the missing mechanism: how does temperature influence seasonal timing in endotherms?

AU - Caro, S.P.

AU - Schaper, S.V.

AU - Hut, R.A.

AU - Ball, G.F.

AU - Visser, M.E.

N1 - Reporting year: 2013 Metis note: 5430;wag; AnE Data archiving: no data; review

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Temperature has a strong effect on the seasonal timing of life-history stages in both mammals and birds, even though these species can regulate their body temperature under a wide range of ambient temperatures. Correlational studies showing this effect have recently been supported by experiments demonstrating a direct, causal relationship between ambient temperature and seasonal timing. Predicting how endotherms will respond to global warming requires an understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which temperature affects the seasonal timing of life histories. These mechanisms, however, remain obscure. We outline a road map for research aimed at identifying the pathways through which temperature is translated into seasonal timing.

AB - Temperature has a strong effect on the seasonal timing of life-history stages in both mammals and birds, even though these species can regulate their body temperature under a wide range of ambient temperatures. Correlational studies showing this effect have recently been supported by experiments demonstrating a direct, causal relationship between ambient temperature and seasonal timing. Predicting how endotherms will respond to global warming requires an understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which temperature affects the seasonal timing of life histories. These mechanisms, however, remain obscure. We outline a road map for research aimed at identifying the pathways through which temperature is translated into seasonal timing.

KW - international

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001517

DO - 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001517

M3 - Article

SN - 1544-9173

VL - 11

JO - PLoS Biology

JF - PLoS Biology

IS - 4

M1 - e1001517

ER -