Physiological adaptation strategies for thermoregulation in under high-temperature environment challenge.

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the capacity of to withstand high-temperature environments and its adaptability to global warming trends, while examining evidence for the species' tropical origins through thermal neutral zone analysis.

METHODS

This study subjected , a representative mammal of the Oriental realm, to a temperature of 35 °C for 28 days to induce thermal acclimation. Body temperature (T) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured at ambient temperatures (T) of 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 32.5 °C, 35 °C, and 37.5 °C, with thermal conductance (C) subsequently calculated. Latitudinal distributions and thermal neutral zone (TNZ) of 90 small mammals were compared against both normal-temperature and high-temperature acclimated .

RESULTS

Results indicated that T increased with rising ambient temperature, averaging 39.9 °C ± 0.16 °C within the TNZ. BMR showed no significant difference within the 30 °C-35 °C range. The mean BMR was 1.60 ± 0.025 mL O/(g·h), indicating TNZ convergence at 30 °C-35 °C under high-temperature conditions. The mean C values within this range were 0.16 ± 0.0052mL O/(g·h· °C). Compared to previous data on normal-temperature acclimation from our laboratory, high-temperature acclimated animals exhibited elevated T, reduced BMR, a narrowed TNZ with an increased lower thermal neutral zone (LTNZ), and heightened C values. The TNZ of both acclimation groups in within the tropical high-temperature ranges.

DISCUSSION

These findings collectively indicated that adapts to thermal stress through increased T, reduced metabolic rate, enhanced heat dissipation capacity, and a shift of the TNZ towards higher temperatures. Additionally, the TNZ of exhibited minimal fluctuations when subjected to high-temperature stress, indicating a strong adaptive capacity to warmer environments. Furthermore, the TNZ of is situated within the tropical high-temperature range, providing physiological evidence of its tropical origin based on the characteristics of the TNZ.