• Determinants of heart rate in Svalbard reindeer reveal mechanisms of seasonal energy management 

      Trondrud, Liv Monica; Pigeon, Gabriel; Albon, Steve; Arnold, Walter; Evans, Alina; Irvine, R. Justin; Król, Elżbieta; Ropstad, Erik; Stien, Audun; Veiberg, Vebjørn; Speakman, John R.; Loe, Leif Egil (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-06-28)
      Seasonal energetic challenges may constrain an animal's ability to respond to changing individual and environmental conditions. Here, we investigated variation in heart rate, a well-established proxy for metabolic rate, in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), a species with strong seasonal changes in foraging and metabolic activity. In 19 adult females, we recorded heart rate, ...
    • Fat storage influences fasting endurance more than body size in an ungulate 

      Trondrud, Liv Monica; Pigeon, Gabriel; Król, Elżbieta; Albon, Steve; Evans, Alina; Arnold, Walter; Hambly, Catherine; Irvine, R. Justin; Ropstad, Erik; Stien, Audun; Veiberg, Vebjørn; Speakman, John R.; Loe, Leif Egil (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-04-26)
      <ol> <li>The fasting endurance hypothesis (FEH) predicts strong selection for large body size in mammals living in environments where food supply is interrupted over prolonged periods of time. The Arctic is a highly seasonal and food restricted environment, but contrary to predictions from the FEH, empirical evidence shows that Arctic mammals are often smaller than their temperate conspecifics. ...