Mammals

Studies of changes in phenology in response to climate change have focused particularly on migratory birds, since they may be more likely to experience mismatches between their time of arrival and the coming of spring in their breeding grounds (see previous post). What about mammals? Let's have a look at a couple of studies.

Hibernation. Like migratory birds’ migrations, hibernation is controlled by “endogenous rhythms” – i.e. an innate response to day length. However, mammals are able to alter the phenology of their hibernation in response to climate change, through “phenotypic plasticity” - i.e. one genotype can produce different phenotypes depending on environmental conditions.  Over longer timescales, it’s likely that microevolution of phenological traits will be more important for species to survive. 

Reproduction. Chillingham cattle are a rare breed of cattle. A wild population roams in Northumberland and there are records of their births and deaths since the 1860s. This breed gives birth throughout the year, but it’s been found that they’ve been having more calves during the winter. Weather data points to warmer springs as the reason: the cattle have a 9 month gestation period, and have been conceiving earlier because of an earlier availability of vegetation for food. This is bad news, because winter born calves don’t do as well.

Stay posted for more fascinating phenological facts ;)