Cyclical Variation in Predation Risk: Impacts on Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) Offspring through Maternal Programming
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) populations cycle over 10-year periods, primarily driven by predation. High predation risk triggers the decline phase of the cycle through both direct mortality and non-consumptive stress effects that curtail reproduction and survival. The decline phase is followed by an enigma, the prolonged low phase, where the population fails to recover. This suggests maternal stress effects may act to program offspring across generations in this population. Through a natural monitoring study spanning the hare cycle, we investigated the impact of changing predation risk and maternal stress on offspring. Offspring in the decline phase showed a suite of changes to their behaviour, condition, physiology and gene expression compared to offspring from the increase and peak phases, suggesting maternal programming is occurring. This study was novel in documenting changes in gene expression of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors in response to a natural increase in predation risk in a wild mammal.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Laura K. McCaw
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3183885596