Cited by 38Physiological and biochemical adaptationsWildlife Ecology and ConservationBat Biology and Ecology Studies

Increased diurnal activity is indicative of energy deficit in a nocturnal mammal, the aardvark

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Weyer, Nora Marie, Fuller, Andrea, Haw, Anna Jean, Meyer, Leith Carl Rodney, Mitchell, Duncan, Picker, Mike, Rey, Benjamin, Hetem, Robyn Sheila·2020·Frontiers in Physiology

Abstract

) are nocturnal, obligate ant- and termite-eating mammals which may be threatened directly by increasing heat and aridity, or indirectly by the effects of climate change on their prey. We hypothesised that the minimum 24-h body temperature of aardvarks would decline during energy scarcity, and that aardvarks would extend their active phases to compensate for reduced resource availability, possibly resulting in increased diurnal activity when aardvarks were energetically compromised. To measure their thermoregulatory patterns and foraging activity, we implanted abdominal temperature and activity data loggers into 12 adult aardvarks and observed them for varying durations over 3 years in the Kalahari. Under non-drought conditions, aardvarks tightly controlled their 24-h body temperature rhythm (mean amplitude of the 24-h body temperature rhythm was 1.8 ± 0.3°C during summer and 2.1 ± 0.1°C during winter) and usually were nocturnal. During a summer drought, aardvarks relaxed the precision of body temperature regulation (mean 24-h amplitude 2.3 ± 0.4°C) and those that subsequently died shifted their activity to progressively earlier times of day in the weeks before their deaths. Throughout the subsequent winter, the aardvarks' minimum 24-h body temperatures declined, causing exaggerated heterothermy (4.7 ± 1.3°C; absolute range 24.7 to 38.8°C), with one individual's body temperature varying by 11.7°C within 8 h. When body temperatures were low, aardvarks often emerged from burrows during daytime, and occasionally returned before sunset, resulting in completely diurnal activity. Aardvarks also shortened their active periods by 25% during food scarcity, likely to avoid energetic costs incurred by foraging. Despite their physiological and behavioural flexibility, aardvarks were unable to compensate for reduced food availability. Seven study aardvarks and several others died, presumably from starvation. Our results do not bode well for aardvarks facing climate change, and for the many animal species dependent on aardvark burrows for refuge.

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  • Despite these responses, some aardvarks still succumbed to starvation during drought.

    “Despite these responses, some aardvark still succumbed to starvation (Rey et al., 2017; Weyer et al., 2020).”

    From Temminck’s pangolins relax the precision of body temperature regulation when resources are scarce in a semi-arid environment (2023) · cites this paper as Weyer et al., 2020

    The Discussion reports that several aardvarks died during the 2013 drought summer and following winter despite shifts toward diurnal activity. It links those deaths to reduced prey availability, but identifies starvation as a presumed cause rather than an established one; the claim states it as fact. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Switching to diurnal activity exposes mammals to higher heat loads that they would otherwise avoid, potentially leading to hyperthermia, particularly if they have insufficient body water for evaporative cooling.

    “Switching to diurnal activity also exposes mammals to higher heat loads that they would otherwise avoid, potentially leading to hyperthermia, particularly if they have insufficient body water for evaporative cooling (Weyer et al., 2020).”

    From Temminck’s pangolins relax the precision of body temperature regulation when resources are scarce in a semi-arid environment (2023) · cites this paper as Weyer et al., 2020

    The Introduction says nocturnal mammals shifting to daytime activity face daytime heat loads and that water-deficient large mammals in hot environments exhibit higher maximum body temperatures while reducing evaporative cooling. The Discussion likewise says a shift to diurnality in hot weather increases heat exposure. Neither passage directly links that shift, combined with insufficient body water, to hyperthermia. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Low body temperatures may put mammals at risk of hypothermia and death, as seen in starving aardvarks.

    “Low body temperatures, however, may put mammals at risk of hypothermia and death, as seen in starving aardvarks (Rey et al., 2017; Weyer et al., 2020).”

    From Temminck’s pangolins relax the precision of body temperature regulation when resources are scarce in a semi-arid environment (2023) · cites this paper as Weyer et al., 2020

    The Discussion (page not provided) associates lowered minimum body temperatures in aardvarks with poor body condition and high mortality, interpreting them as signs of energy deficit. The paper reports that several aardvarks died, presumably from starvation, but does not establish that low body temperature caused hypothermia or death. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • During a drought in the Kalahari, aardvarks shortened their active periods by a quarter.

    “They also emerged from their burrows more often during the daytime, sometimes becoming completely diurnal, and shortened their active periods by a quarter (Weyer et al., 2020).”
  • During a drought in the Kalahari, aardvarks had lower 24-h minimum body temperatures compared with non-drought years.

    “During a drought in the Kalahari, aardvarks (Orycteropus afer), which also feed on ants and termites, had lower 24-h minimum body temperatures compared with non-drought years.”

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Authors
Weyer, N. M., Fuller, A., Haw, A. J., Meyer, L. C. R., Mitchell, D., Picker, M., Rey, B., & Hetem, R. S.
Affiliations
  • University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT)
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • Lyon 1 Université (FR)
Corresponding author
Weyer, Nora Marie
Venue
Frontiers in Physiology
Published
2020-07-07
Volume
11
Pages
637-637
ISSN
1664-042X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3038332832
Cited by
38
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5
FWCI
2.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • UpSpace Institutional Repository (University of Pretoria) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • University of Exeter
  • National Research Foundation
  • Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
Keywords
aardvark, Orycteropus afer, diurnal activity, negative energy balance, thermoregulation, body temperature rhythm, heterothermy, drought, food shortages, foraging behavior, climate change, starvation, Kalahari

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